philosopher

July 5: Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius

July 5: Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Saints Cyril and Methodius have shaped the history of Christianity and even language in Eastern Europe. By translating the Holy Bible into the Slavic languages, they were able to convert many Slavs to Christianity. Their efforts have resulted in the existence of the Cyrillic Alphabet through the development of the Glagolitic Alphabet, for example. July 5 is the day when the Saints’ far-reaching efforts are recognized.

Tomáš Masaryk and the United States

Tomáš Masaryk, first president of Czechoslovakia, was inspired by the freedom and democracy of the United States. While negotiating for Czechoslovakia’s independence, Masaryk developed not only political relationships, but also personal and intellectual ones with the United States. During the First World War, he was exiled after siding with the Allied Powers, but did not give up on garnering support from his fellow Czechoslovakians. The Lansing Declaration of May 1918 was one of many important moments in the future creation of the Czechoslovak Republic, which eventually came to pass, all before he died in 1937.

Oldřich Kulhánek and the Czech Koruna

Oldřich Kulhánek was a Czech artist and critic of the Communist Regime best known for his work on designing the current Czech banknotes. His career began in 1958 at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. During his young life, his politically motivated art would get him arrested and the art almost destroyed since he negatively portrayed Communist leaders. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Oldřich Kulhánek was once again free to express his views through his art and was tasked with designing the bills of the Czech Koruna.

Foundation of Czechoslovakia

Foundation of Czechoslovakia

Tomas Garrigue Masaryk was a sociologist, philosopher, and political activist. He was the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia. Before he was the founder, and President liberator, of the Czech and Slovak people, he lived a humble life in a small, industrial town.