History of Czech Republic
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Chronology of Czech Republic
| Ancient Times |
| 4000 BC |
In this part of Europe the first permanent communities emerged. |
| 500 BC |
Celtic tribes settled in the region. |
| 500 AD |
Arrival of the Slavic tribes from East of the Carpathian Mountains. |
| 863 |
Old Slavic, the language which gave the new European alphabet and the languages of all Slavic countries was developed by the Cyril and Methodius brothers, missionaries from Byzantine. |
| 1031 |
Bohemia and Moravia joined together as the Czech crown lands. |
| Medieval History |
| 1212 |
The Czech kingdom was given independence by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. |
| 1241 |
Fortification of towns and castles due to the Tartar Invasion. |
| 1253-1278 |
The rule of King Premysl Otakar II also called the King of Iron and Gold. He greatly expanded the Czech territories. |
| 1346-1378 |
During the rule of Charles IV there was Golden Age in the kingdom. Many significant constructions of that period include the Prague University, the Charles Bridge, St Vithus Cathedral and more. |
| 1415 |
Jan Hus, Czech reformer later made a martyr, was burned at the stake for his views against the rich oppressors. |
| 1419-1434 |
Era of great nationalism and development in the education which no other country at the time could boast. |
| Under Austrian Rule |
| 1742-1780 |
Austria rules over the Czechs but Empress Maria Theresa was a very kind ruler and revived Czech's lands. |
| 1789 |
The first Czech revival newspaper and the first mass reading material in almost two centuries were published by V. M. Kramerius. In the following decades the Czech National Revival occurred. |
| 1814 |
Many museums were founded in the Czech territory. |
| 1848 |
The Austrian Empire abolished slavery in its lands. |
| 1867 |
The Austrian Empire split into Austro-Hungary and thus Czech lands were ruled by Austria. |
| 20th Century |
| 1914-1918 |
The Czechoslovak Foreign Legions were founded to defend the lands during World War I. |
| 1918 |
The Czechoslovak State was founded, its first president was T.G. Masaryk |
| 1939 |
Nazi Germany took over the Czechoslovak lands and made a puppet state out of it. |
| 1945 |
Czechoslovakia was liberated from Nazi Germany by the Russians and Americans. |
| 1948 |
The Czechoslovak Communist party takes over the government power. |
| 1967 - 1968 |
The Prague Spring occurred, a reform movement against the oppressions of the Communist regime. |
| 1977 |
Charter 77 was published by a group of intellectuals including dissident playwright Vaclav Havel. The Charter demanded basic human rights and freedoms, including the right to play rock music. |
| 1989 |
The Velvet Revolution occurred. The Communist government resigns and Vaclav Havel was elected President of the renamed Czech and Slovak Federated Republic. |
| 1990 |
Economic reforms and mass privatisation of businesses start. |
| 1990 |
The first free and democratic elections since 1946 took place. |
| 1993 |
Division of the republic into two independent ones - Slovakia and the Czech Republic. |
| 1999 |
The Czech Republic becomes a member of NATO |
| 2000 |
A nuclear power plant is starting its work, which is highly disliked by Austria and thus the Czech Republic is threatened to not gain European Union membership. |
| 21st Century |
| 2001 |
Austria and the Czech Republic begin to settle the dispute on the nuclear power plant. |
| 2002 |
A dreadful flood destroys many towns and villages across the country. |
| 2002 December |
The Czech Republic is asked to join the European Union. |
| 2003 February |
Vaclav Klaus is elected for president. |
| 2004 May |
The Czech Republic joins the EU. |
| 2007 January |
A three-party, centre-right coalition is formed. |
| 2007 June |
George Bush visits and is 'welcomed' with protests against U.S. plans to build a radar base near Prague. |