Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day

**Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day** is a national holiday in Czechia, observed annually on **November 17**. It commemorates two significant events in the country's history that symbolize the fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights. 1. **1939: The Nazi Closure of Czech Universities** On November 17, 1939, during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, Czech universities were forcibly closed, and students were arrested or executed in response to anti-Nazi demonstrations. This day honors the bravery of students and intellectuals who resisted oppression. 2. **1989: The Velvet Revolution** On the same date in 1989, a peaceful student demonstration in Prague was violently suppressed by the communist regime. This event sparked the **Velvet Revolution**, a series of non-violent protests that led to the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia and the establishment of a democratic government. The holiday serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and democracy and celebrates the values of liberty, human rights, and civic engagement. It is marked by ceremonies, public speeches, and cultural events across the country.