Timeline Sunday 10 June 1979

Events on Sunday 10 June 1979 2

• 1979 Pope John Paul II makes first papal visit to Poland A homecoming that emboldens the anti-communist opposition John Paul II, the first Polish pope, visited his communist-ruled homeland from 2 to 10 June 1979, drawing crowds of millions. The trip is widely credited with galvanizing the opposition movement that produced the Solidarity trade union the following year. It marked a turning point in the erosion of Communist Party authority in Eastern Europe.
• 1979 First direct elections to the European Parliament Voters across nine countries elect MEPs directly Citizens of the nine European Communities member states went to the polls between 7 and 10 June 1979 to directly elect the European Parliament for the first time. Previously its members had been appointed by national legislatures. Simone Veil of France was elected the Parliament's first directly chosen president.