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Czechs in HistoryThe Czechoslovak legions: myth, reality, gold and glory
The Czechoslovak legions occupy an almost legendary place in Czech history.
They comprise the armed forces that fought during and after World War I on
the allied side in pursuit of an independent Czechoslovakia. The biggest
force, and most potent myths, centre on the Russian force, which became
embroiled in the civil war, spending three years and travelling thousands
of miles before returning home. We look at the myths and facts about their
exploits. More
One on OneJaromíra Kostlánová – still working as a tour guide at the remarkable age of 92
Though 92 years of age, Jaromíra Kostlánová is still working as a tour
guide, introducing the sights of Prague to visitors from around the world.
If that were not remarkable enough, the good-humoured nonagenarian is also
one of the oldest students in the Czech Republic. More
Czech HistoryKarel Kramář: first Czechoslovak PM but flawed popular politician
Karel Kramář earned his place in history as the first prime minister of
Czechoslovakia. But his political career spanned more than four turbulent
decades. We look at a life than included a death sentence, assassination
attempt and birth of a new state. More
From the ArchivesThe women who stepped out of the shadow of Czechoslovakia’s first president
At the beginning of this series we heard the voice of the first
Czechoslovak President, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The Masaryk family included
several remarkable women, who were also to play their part in 20th century
Czech history. Tomáš’s wife Charlotte was American, born in New York in
1850. When the couple married in Brooklyn in 1878, he took on her surname
Garrigue as part of his own name, as a gesture of respect. Charlotte went
on to devote her life to all things Czech, and she was every bit as
energetic in her defence of women’s rights, winning her husband over to
the cause. She died in 1923 just five years after the republic was founded.
In this archive recording from November 1932 she is remembered by an
American friend, the feminist and peace advocate, Martha Root. More
From the ArchivesThe death of Czechoslovakia's "philosopher-king"
The first Czechoslovak president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk is remembered as
the founding father of the country. It was he who from his exile in Britain
and then America in the First World War negotiated the terms for an
independent Czechoslovakia. When he died on 14th September 1937 at the
grand old age of 87, the whole nation went into mourning. In sombre tones,
Czechoslovak Radio broadcast the entire funeral. The five-hour event was
the radio's first major outside broadcast, using a whole team of the star
presenters of the time. More
From the ArchivesPresident Masaryk takes inspiration from George Washington
Over the next six months we'll be looking at some of the most fascinating
recordings to be found down in the Czech Radio basement. Czech - and
previously Czechoslovak - Radio has been archiving its material since way
back in the 1920s, and has built up one of the richest radio archives in
the world, surviving war, invasion and even a German aerial torpedo in May
1945. We start the series with our very earliest recording, the first
Czechoslovak President, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, talking 79 years ago, on
28th October 1928. President Masaryk was born as far back as 1850, so the
recording really is a bridge to another era.
More
Czechs in HistoryThe Czechoslovak legions: myth, reality, gold and glory
The Czechoslovak legions occupy an almost legendary place in Czech history.
They comprise the armed forces that fought during and after World War I on
the allied side in pursuit of an independent Czechoslovakia. The biggest
force, and most potent myths, centre on the Russian force, which became
embroiled in the civil war, spending three years and travelling thousands
of miles before returning home. We look at the myths and facts about their
exploits.
More
Current AffairsCzech flag turns 90
On Tuesday, March 30th the Czech flag was more in evidence than usual –
the state symbol turned 90. The red, white and blue flag with its simple
geometric pattern was created in 1920 shortly after the founding of an
independent Czechoslovak state. Although Czechoslovakia no longer exists,
the flag remains the Czech Republic’s state symbol.
More
Letter from PragueIs a president allowed to slouch?
Last weekend Czechs marked the 160th anniversary of the birth of the
co-founder of Czechoslovakia and the country’s first president T.G.
Masaryk. Although Czechs fondly refer to him as “tatíček Masaryk” or
papa Masaryk, there is no doubt at all that they have enormous respect for
the statesman and philosopher who in 1918 laid the founding stone of a new
state and gave Czechs and Slovaks their first lessons in democracy.
More
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