Republic Day in Slovakia commemorates the independence of Slovakia in 1993 following the Velvet Divorce, marking the foundation of the modern Slovak Republic.

When is Republic Day?

Republic Day in Slovakia is observed on January 1 every year.

The following is the list of Republic Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Republic Day?

After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and on October 28, 1918, Czechs and Slovaks joined to form Czechoslovakia. The new state united two distinct nations with cultural and linguistic differences, but Slovaks often felt overshadowed by the Czech majority.

During World War II, Slovakia briefly became a nominally independent state (1939–1945) under Nazi Germany, while the Czech lands were occupied. After the war, Czechoslovakia was reestablished, and by 1948 it became a communist state under Soviet influence.

The fall of communism in Eastern Europe began with the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989, which peacefully ended one-party rule. This brought democratic reforms and opened discussions about the future of the state.

By the early 1990s, tensions grew between the Czech and Slovak parts of the federation: the Czechs favored faster economic reforms, while many Slovaks sought greater autonomy and recognition. Leaders Václav Klaus (Czech) and Vladimír Mečiar (Slovak) negotiated a peaceful split.

On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved into two independent states: the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Bratislava became the capital of independent Slovakia.

The event is known as the Velvet Divorce, mirroring the nonviolent Velvet Revolution. The holiday commemorates the foundation of the independent Slovak Republic and is celebrated alongside New Year's Day.