To most of the world, August 29th is just another day. For Slovaks, this is the day their fight against Nazi oppression really began. The Nazi’s invasion of their homeland started a chain reaction of rebellion and cooperation. The residents of Slovakia, both the civil-democratic and the communist alike, put their differences aside and came together in an effort to fight for their homeland. On December 25th, 1943, they signed the Christmas Treaty, unifying for the future of Slovakia and forming the Slovak National Council. This council was the start of organized resistance against Nazi-control.

The Slovak National Uprising began on August 29, 1944, known today as National Uprising Day. The uprising launched in Banska Bystrica, designated as the headquarters of rebel operations. The rebellion rapidly expanded and the resistance soon gained control over large parts of central Slovakia.

Unfortunately, the initial success of the revolt was short-lived. A lack of support from the Soviet Red Army led to the rebellion’s eventual downfall. Nazi armed forces were quickly able to regroup and began an assault from Nazi-controlled Hungary retaking Rebel strongholds. After two months of fighting, Banska Bysterica fell on October 28th of 1944. It is estimated that over 2,000 men and women were lost in the rebellion.

Rebel leaders notified London that the revolt had ended. Despite this, General Viest, Commander-in-Chief of the 1st Czechoslovakian Army, gave orders for rebels to turn to guerilla warfare. Skirmishes between rebels and German soldiers continued for months after the end of the rebellion. These conflicts strained German defenses and many attribute it as one of many reasons the Nazi party fell the following year.

The Museum of the Slovak National Uprising
*Source: OfficeHolidays*

In 1955, the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising in Banska Bysterica. It was a dedication to this time of rebellion and the heroes who fought in it. Today, the SNP Museum is a both a monument to this moment in history and a hub for historical documentation and scientific research.

Written by Kelsey McDade

Editors of The Mayor, The, ‘Slovak National Uprising Day’, The Mayor, 2019, https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/slovak-national-uprising-day-6863, (Accessed Date August 26, 2022).
Ustav Pamati Naroda. Slovak National Uprising. European Network of Remembrance and Solidarity & UPN, https://www.upn.gov.sk/data/files/SKL-SNP-EN-151211-web.pdf, 2015. (Accessed Date August 26, 2022).

Babušíková, Tatiana, ‘History of the Museum’, Museum of the Slovak National Uprising, http://www.muzeumsnp.sk/muzeum-snp/historia-muzea/, (Accessed Date August 27, 2022).