Google doodle celebrates the Czech Republic’s Freedom and Democracy Day

Today’s Doodle celebrates the Czech Republic’s Freedom and Democracy Day, a day set aside to focus on the country’s previous struggles for independence while also celebrating the freedom won as a result of those efforts.

Two major student-led demonstrations are commemorated on this national holiday. Thousands of protestors spilled onto the streets to rebel against occupying forces on November 15, 1939, and the first demonstration gained strength until November 17, 1939. The second revolt, fifty years later, was inspired by the first and became one of the most significant events in modern Czech history.

On this day in 1989, a peaceful protest by a group of Czech students grew to involve over half a million people in three days. This demonstration, known as the “Velvet Revolution’s” beginnings, was successful in achieving the demands for a democratic government and led to the formation of the Czech Republic in 1993. To honour the past, the capital of Prague organises candlelit monuments on National Avenue, with inhabitants wearing the national colours of red, blue, and white.

Happy Freedom and Democracy Day, Czech Republic!