RADOM

city, capital of Radom wojewdztwo (province), east-central Poland. It is a rail junction and an administrative and industrial centre; the economy of the city relies predominantly on textile milling, glass and chemical works, munitions, footwear, and food processing. Radom has a museum and a theatre. First mentioned in 1154 as a fortified settlement on the crossroads of two major trade routes, the town grew rapidly. It was walled and granted trading privileges in 1360 by King Casimir III the Great. During the 15th century, it became the seat of the diet (assembly) and the district council. It was seized by Austria in 1795, became a department capital under the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (180715), passed to Russian control, and was returned to Poland in 1918. Pop. (1987 est.) 219,100.