Czechs mark 107th anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s founding

People across the Czech Republic marked the 107th anniversary of the founding of independent Czechoslovakia, established on October 28, 1918. Although Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in 1993, when Czechs and Slovaks parted ways, Czechs continue to view October 28 as the day of their national founding.

President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala and other senior state officials gathered at the National Memorial on Prague’s Vítkov Hill to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of those who fought for the nation’s freedom at different times in the country’s history. The traditional ceremony was attended by representatives of the military, the Church, and the City of Prague, as well as war veterans. The commemoration was accompanied by a flyover of military aircraft.

In the course of the day, wreath-laying ceremonies took place at President Masaryk’s graveside in Lány and his statue on Prague's Hradčany Square, but people also make their way to the hundreds of busts, statues, monuments and plaques dedicated to Czechoslovakia’s co-founder in towns and villages around Czechia to lay flowers and light candles.

A ceremonial change-of-guard took place at Prague Castle at midday attracting a crowd of onlookers. Meanwhile, inside the Castle, the head of state and commander of the armed forces, Petr Pavel, appointed new army generals.