Freedom and Democracy Day in Slovakia commemorates both the 1939 student protests against Nazi occupation and the 1989 student-led Velvet Revolution, symbolizing the nation's ongoing commitment to freedom, democracy, and civic courage.

When is Freedom and Democracy Day?

Freedom and Democracy Day in Slovakia is celebrated every year on November 17.

The following is the list of Freedom and Democracy Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Freedom and Democracy Day?

On November 17, 1939, Nazi forces in occupied Czechoslovakia cracked down on student protests in Prague. These demonstrations had been sparked by resistance to the German occupation and the killing of student Jan Opletal.

In retaliation, the Nazis executed nine student leaders, arrested and sent over 1,200 students to concentration camps, and closed all Czech universities and colleges. This brutal event led to November 17 being recognized internationally as International Students' Day, honoring student bravery against tyranny.

Fifty years later, on November 17, 1989, a peaceful student march in Prague commemorating the 1939 events became the spark for a broader uprising. The communist police (SNB) violently suppressed the demonstration, injuring many students.

Instead of silencing the people, the crackdown ignited mass protests that spread across Czechoslovakia. Within weeks, these demonstrations led to the fall of the communist regime, in what became known as the Velvet Revolution.

This marked the beginning of a transition to democracy, freedom of speech, and human rights.

After 1989, both the Czech Republic and Slovakia declared November 17 as a public holiday.

In Slovakia, it is officially called Freedom and Democracy Day (Deň boja za slobodu a demokraciu). It commemorates both the student sacrifices of 1939 and the peaceful protests of 1989, connecting the struggles against fascism and communism.