Learn all about Independent Czechoslovak State Day
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in the Czech Republic Series at CzechClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Czech holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Lesson 9, Independent Czechoslovak State Day. In Czech, it’s called Den vzniku samostatného československého státu. |
| On October 28, Czechs celebrate a holiday that is considered to be one of the most important in their calendar. It is the Independence Day of the Czechoslovak state. It happened on October 28, 1918. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| Do you know when the current form of the Czech national flag came about? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| People commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia by taking part in gatherings and social events that include political and social representatives of the country or země. At the memorials, men form honor guards, dressed in the period uniforms of those who fought for an independent Czechoslovakia. |
| It’s considered good form to decorate the windows of your apartment or house on this day with national flags or národní vlajky. The flag consists of historic red and white colors, complemented with a blue wedge to distinguish it from the neighboring Poland’s flag. |
| The President of the Republic or prezident republiky holds a festive evening gathering at his residence, Prague Castle, where he distributes high state honors to outstanding personalities from social and public life. The event is broadcast live on television and the program is widely watched. |
| The declaration of the establishment of Czechoslovakia went smoothly. On October 28, people awoke to an international situation that seemed friendly toward the idea of an independent Czechoslovakia. They declared the state in the afternoon and went to sleep as Czechoslovak citizens or občané. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Do you know when the current form of the Czech national flag came about? |
| It was established at the same time as the independent state of Czechoslovakia in 1918. Czechs like this flag, and even after the division of Czechoslovakia in 1993, it remained the national symbol of the Czech Republic. |
| Well listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn something new? |
| When was the country you live in founded? |
| Leave a comment telling us at CzechClass101.com, and I’ll see you in the next lesson! |
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