100 Years of Czechoslovakia

Šťastný nový rok!  Happy New Year.  And 2018 is a big year for Czechland.  Today is the 25th birthday for Czechia and Slovakia.

In 1993, Czechoslovakia split up in the Velvet Divorce into two separate countries.  At the time only 37% of Slovaks and 36% of Czechs favoured the split and, unlike Brexit, there was no referendum for people to vote.  The split was decided by Czech and Slovak legislators at Vila Tugendhat.

Today, only 46% of Czechs and 44% of Slovaks think that the split was a good thing.

On 28 October, the country will celebrate the 100 years since the founding of Czechoslovakia.

Czechoslovakia was established on 28 October 1918 as the Austro-Hungarian Empire broke apart.  As an independent nation, it meant that it was the first time since 1620, at the Battle of White Mountain, that Bohemia was not under foreign rule.

The establishment of an independent Czechoslovak state is still a public holiday in Czechland.  But it isn't celebrated in Slovakia.  I wonder if there will be any centennial celebrations in Slovakia this year?