25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution The Velvet Revolution started on 17 November, 1989 in Prague with a legally organised ceremony commemorating the events of November 1939 (students’ protest against German occupation which resulted in the closing down of the universities and the execution of the protest leaders). Quite unexpectedly, tens of thousands of people turned up at the ceremony. The gathering evolved into an anti-communist demonstration and was brutally dispersed. Few hundred people were beaten up and there were rumours about fatalities. Hundreds of young people were arrested. On the following day students announced a seven-day strike. They demanded punishment for those responsible for the brutal pacification, the stepping down of the authorities, and negotiations between the authorities and society. They also called upon the society to undertake a general strike. The protest was gradually spreading to other cities. On November 27, the entire top leadership of the Communist Party, including General Secretary Miloš Jakeš, resigned. year1989.pl/y89/czechoslovakia/history/8699,Czechoslovakia.html
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:58:22 +0000
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