The student demonstrations and the beginning of Velvet revolution 1989 – Národní třída, Prague
Fact of the Czech figure „Velvet revolution – 1989”
Part of the „Dreaming about the democracy” topic
In 1988 and 1989, neighbouring countries like Hungary, Poland and finally also East Germany were going through changes. There was excitement and tension in the Czech and Slovak societies about whether it was also time for a change in the political system in Czechoslovakia. People who were unhappy with the situation organised demonstrations and meetings more often than before in major cities, especially Prague, but the police often broke them up with increasing violence.
The day before the Velvet Revolution began, students in Bratislava also demonstrated – for academic freedoms. However, the investigation and punishment of those involved in the unannounced demonstration was overshadowed by what was going on in Prague on 17 November 1989.
On this day, Czech and Slovak students of universities in Prague gathered there to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jan Opletal’s death at the hands of the Nazi occupiers and the closure of Czech universities. The students set off on a march through Prague, chanting slogans calling for a change and freedom in Czechoslovakia. In the evening, around 10,000 demonstrators found themselves in the Národní třída, where special police forces blocked their way. The students, holding flowers and chanting slogans like „We have bare hands!”, continued their peaceful demonstration. Despite that, there was a heavy intervention by the special forces which led to injuries and arrests.
The brutal crackdown of the demonstrators became the impetus for further mass demonstrations and a general strike in November and December 1989 throughout Czechoslovakia, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the communist dictatorship. A memorial plaque at the corner of Mikulandská and Národní Streets serves as a reminder of this event and is annually commemorated on the Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy.
