Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5 May 1945
Prague residents begin an armed uprising against the Germans, liberating the city after three days.
The Germans are granted free exit in exchange for agreeing not to destroy the city.
9 May 1945
The Soviet Army formally liberates the city, though most German soldiers are already defeated or
gone. Later, under the communists, this will be recognised as the official day of liberation.
25 February 1948
Communists stage a bloodless coup. Party leader Klement Gottwald proclaims the news and crowds
cheer, but the coup ultimately leads to 40 years of oppressive communist rule.
20 November 1952
In a Soviet-style purge, communists accuse some of their own party functionaries, including General
Secretary Rudolf Slánský, of treason. The prisoners are executed.
20-21 August 1968
Soviet-led Warsaw Pact forces invade Czechoslovakia to end reforms called the 'Prague Spring'. Re-
forming communist leader Alexander Dubček is replaced by Gustáv Husák.
16 January 1969
Student Jan Palach immolates himself at Wenceslas Square to protest the Warsaw Pact invasion.
Thousands come to the square to mark his memory and attend his funeral.
1977
Life in Prague reaches a political nadir during 'normalisation'. Václav Havel signs Charter 77, calling
on Czechoslovakia to meet its international human-rights obligations.
17 November 1989
Police violently halt a student demonstration, sparking days of demonstrations culminating in the
communists relinquishing power - the 'Velvet Revolution'.
1 January 1993
The Czech and Slovak republics agree peacefully to split into independent countries, formally bring-
ing an end to Czechoslovakia. The split becomes known as the 'Velvet Divorce'.