Observed annually on the 1st of January in the Czech Republic, the public holiday is known as Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State is a day that commemorates the date in 1993 when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Because of a law passed in 2016, this holiday is observed as a public holiday and large stores have to close, as do schools and government offices.
However, some smaller businesses can remain open on this day. This is a day when people all across the Czech Republic get to not only recover from New Year’s Eve festivities but can also express their pride in their country.
The History Of Restoration Day Of The Independent Czech State
After WWI, Czechoslovakia emerged as a sovereign state but was briefly split before World War II. In 1948, the country would come under Soviet rule. 20-years later, it would be a federation that was made up of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic.
After extensive negotiations between Czech and Slovak leaders, the stage was set for the two countries to separate. This happened in November of 1992 when Czechoslovakia’s Federal Parliament voted to dissolve the country. On January 1st of 1993, the country was dissolved into the Czech Republic and the Slovak republic. This would become known as the Velvet Divorce.
Observing Restoration Day Of The Independent Czech State
This holiday is observed in a variety of different ways. Not only is the Flag of the Czech Republic raised on this day, but there are competitions, sporting events, and concerts across the country on this day as well.
It’s also a day when people send each other personalized New Year cards. And because this is a day that follows New Year’s Eve, it’s also traditionally a day of rest and to eat all of the leftover lentils from New Year’s Eve dinner.
When is Restoration Of The Czech Independence Day? |
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| This year (2023) | January 1 (Sunday) |
| Next year (2024) | January 1 (Monday) |
| Last year (2022) | January 1 (Saturday) |