Nov 17, 2017
Czech Republic National Day of Freedom 2017
This Doodle’s Key Themes
November 17th is celebrated as the National Day of Freedom in the Czech Republic. To Czechs around the world, today represents decades of work that were necessary for government reform. The nation’s transition to democracy began on this day in 1989 with a peaceful demonstration started by university students in Prague. Hundreds of thousands of protesters eventually joined, creating a movement that is now known as "The Velvet Revolution" or "The Gentle Revolution."
The jingling of keys featured in today's Doodle are an important symbol of this movement. Czechs would jingle their keys during protests to represent the unlocking of new doors and a hopeful future as political parties changed.
Celebrations today are spread throughout the Czech Republic, with the red, blue, and white of the Czech flag flying proudly. If you find yourself in Prague, the country’s capital, you can be part of the celebrations with parades, music, and candle-lighting ceremonies.
Happy National Day of Freedom to the Czech Republic!
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