Information - History
HISTORIC MILESTONES
Located in the geographical heart of Europe, the Czech Republic was during its thousand year lasting history always affected by political events and wars happening in Europe and quite often it was even their initiating source.
Marks of its rich history appear throughout the country. Wherever you are looking for a place to relax, for sport or entertainment, if you want to become acquainted with history and art you will have an opportunity to do so. The Czech lands are virtually a showcase of architectural styles, as reflected in their historic towns, castles and manor houses, churches and monasteries. You will find valuable relics of sacred and rural architecture, remarkable museums and gallery collections and unique examples of technical construction.
| End of the 9th Century | Beginnings of the Bohemian state |
| Until 1310 | Bohemian dynasty of Premyslides |
| 1346-1378 | Reign of Emperor Charles IV - peak of wealth and construction activities, foundation of the first European University, Charles Bridge construction |
| 1402-1412 | Activities of Jan Hus – religious reformer, burnt at the stake by the Church |
| 1419-1436 | Hussite Wars |
| 1548-1612 | Reign of Rudolf II, Habsburg Dynasty Flowering of arts and science |
| 1618 | Beginning of the 30-Years-War |
| 1914-1918 | World War I |
| 1918, Oct. 28 | Proclamation of independent state of Czechoslovakia T.G.Masaryk, the first President |
| 1939-1945 | Occupation by German military forces and the World War II |
| 1948 | Takeover of power by Communists |
| 1968, Jan. | Beginning of the "Prague Spring" |
| 1968, Aug. 21 | Occupation by armies of the Warsaw Pact |
| 1989, Nov. 17 | "Velvet Revolution", end of the Communist era |
| 1993 | Czechoslovakia split up into Czech Republic and Slovak Republic |
| 2004, May 1 | Czech Republic became a member of the European Union |