Holidays in the Czech Republic

1 st January

1 st January – New Year‘s Day celebrations begin on 31 st December special cards (sms, ) meal: beef, cabbage and dumpling resolutions

1 st January – Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State – two new states (CZE, SVK) V. Klaus (ODS), Vladimír Mečiar (HZDS) Václav Havel – the first president of the Czech Republic

Easter Monday (28 th March 2016) last day of Easter celebration of Jesus Christ‘s resurrection spring origin: pagan tradition knitting of wicker whip eggs, sweets (chocolate, candies) easter bunny

1 st May – Labour Day worldwide celebrated since 1890 origin in the USA – 1st May 1886 – workers strike in Chicago (better working conditions, 8 working hours) – the death of several workers due to clash with police – the main holiday in the CZE during the era of Communism

8 th May – Liberation Day capitulation of Hitler‘s Germany defeat of nazism the liberation of Czechoslovakia till 1989 – 9th May, since 1990 – 8th May visiting of monuments (flowers for the victims)

5 th July - Saint Cyril and Methodius Day in 863 two priests from Thessaloniki Cyril and Methodius came to Great Moravia (Byzantine emperor‘s Michael III. command) worships in Old Slavonic new script for Old Slavonic – „hlaholice“

6 th July – Burning of Mistr Jan Hus priest (14th – 15th century, member of the Roman catholic church) preaching against the church declared a heretic found guilty of heresy (council in Constance) burned in 1415

28 th September – Saint Wenceslas Day Wenceslas was a czech duke murdered in 935 by his brother Boleslav in Stará Boleslav became a czech patron

28 th October – Independent Czechoslovak State Day – formation of Czechoslovakia end of I. WW = disintegration of A-H empire = formation of the new states tribute for legionaries and for TGM

17 th November – Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day 1939 – funeral of Jan Opletal (opponent of nazism) – demonstrations, executions student demonstration on the National Avenue – beginning of Velvet Revolution

24 th December – Christmas Eve christian holiday – birth of Jesus Christ Christmas – holidays of peace? christmas tree carp, potato salad, fish soup, sweets, christmas pastry (christmas cake = vánočka) „Ježíšek“ gifts

25 th December – Christmas day visit of relatives and friends turkey hand

26 th December – Saint Stephen‘s Day the first christian martyr stoned by Jews (betraying of Judaism, 36-40)