In 1980, Polish students revolt against the communist government. They unite their forces and create the student equivalent of "Solidarity". This is how the Independent Students' Association is created. Its members fight against the criminal communist system.

The Union of Independent Students (NZS) gathered young people who wanted an independent students' organization from the state authorities, democratization of academic life, respect for fundamental political freedoms and human rights, respect for Polish independence and patriotic traditions. The authorities of the People's Republic of Poland delayed registration of the Union for a long time.

It was only as a result of student strikes, particularly in Łódź, that the then government agreed to register the Association, which took place on 17 February 1981. Apart from typical student-oriented activities, such as the reform of higher education, the organization supported the political activities of the "Solidarity" movement.

After martial law was imposed, the Association was banned and many of its activists were arrested. However, in several academic centers, the Union continued its underground activities. After 1989, the Union was legalized again. It gradually changed the profile of its activity, limiting political initiatives in favor of representing students' interests and organizing cultural and entertainment events, thus becoming a typical students' organization.

source: nzs.org.pl