This was a decade when America was taking a crash course in Polish history, trying to remember the names of politicians and criminals, dissidents and writers.

Not many people in Poland realize how much detail was devoted to the report on Poland by the US media. How much seriousness, sympathy, admiration and professionalism went into the detailing of the "Polish earthquake."

Even the reporters who paid witness to shaping the new image of Poland and who befriended Poland and Poles - among them the authors of the articles included in this exhibit - could hardly believe the sheer volume of front page stories from this decade. There were more than 2,000. Stories where Poland was the main subject or was mentioned in relation to political, economic or cultural changes.

In the midst of the presidential campaign in 1980, both Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan invoked the courage of the Polish workers. Their mentions were meant to cash in on a domestic political capital - the candidates were courting the votes from a broader electorate not just those coming from Polish Americans. At that time, Poland was emerging as the symbol of strife for democracy, freedom and justice. Speaking about Poland, the two presidential candidates drew comparisons to the most cherished American values. In September 1980, it seemed that these values would become a permanent part of the Polish moral and judicial code. That was the time, when the Polish example became the world symbol of courage and determination. "Kabul Seeking Better Image. Soviets Push On. Afghan Rulers Seek to Polish Reputation", reads a Washington Post headline, from 1980.

The 80's also witness another cultural change in the US - an attempt to stem out ethnic jokes. The publication of a book containing ethnic jokes, including those starting with "How many Poles does it take to... ", was cancelled. It was followed by a flurry of articles decrying the death of Polish jokes . The popularity of Poles was on the rise. So much so, that, taking a contrarian stand, a Mr. Mazewski, president of the Polish-American Congress, declared that taking offense in Polish jokes was silly. If the jokes were too offensive, those spreading them should be sued, but those "within the framework of the law" should not be censored, he argued.