Czech Senate approves August 21 as state holiday commemorating victims of 1968 invasion

The Czech Republic will officially announce August 21 as the Day of Memory of the Victims of the 1968 Invasion and subsequent occupation of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops

ČTK

Written by ČTK Published on 06.12.2019 14:35:50 (updated on 06.12.2019) Reading time: 1 minute

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A Czech flag hangs in Prague
A Czech flag hangs in Prague

Prague, Dec 4 (CTK) – The Czech Republic will officially announce August 21 as the Day of Memory of the Victims of the 1968 Invasion and subsequent occupation of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops under the amendment to the national holiday law passed by the Senate today.

The legislation, submitted by 90 lawmakers from all deputy groups except the Communists (KSCM), is yet to be signed by President Miloš Zeman.

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According to the drafters of the legislation, the night of August 20-21, 1968, was one of the most tragic dates of modern Czechoslovak history.

The invasion put an end to the democratisation and the humanist efforts at reform of the Communist system in Czechoslovakia and it also caused the death of many innocent civilians, they added.

This is why they want to commemorate the memory of the tens of victims of the invasion.

During the debate on the legislation, Communist MP Stanislav Grospic said the country’s invasion by the Warsaw Pact troops was no occupation and the people who died in consequence of it were mostly victims of traffic accidents.

Following a wave of criticism, Grospic later apologised for what he had said.

In all, the Czech Republic has 14 “important days” in its calendar.

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