On December 13, 1981, strongman Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law in a bid to crush growing opposition to his communist regime, ushering in a grim chapter of modern Polish history.
The crackdown on the Solidarity freedom movement saw thousands of activists imprisoned and dozens killed.
A morning ceremony at a Warsaw museum will honour communist-era political prisoners and others who faced brutal repression under communism.
A religious service will also be held at the site to remember the victims of the crackdown.
In the evening, President Andrzej Duda is expected to attend the annual "Light of Freedom" tribute at Piłsudski Square in central Warsaw.
Officials have encouraged citizens to light candles in their windows as a symbolic gesture to honour the victims of communist oppression.
According to a parliamentary report from the early 1990s, more than 90 people were killed during martial law, which formally ended on July 22, 1983.
On the night martial law was declared, over 6,500 opposition activists were arrested and interned.
The communist regime also suspended political and workers’ organisations and imposed a curfew.
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Source: IAR, PAP