Masaryk

Milan Štefánik: Slovak Astronomer and Aviator

Many know the life and legacies of Tomáš Masaryk and Edvard Beneš, two Czechs who helped to found Czechoslovakia. However, there was a third person who played a very important role in the founding of the country: a Slovak named Milan Štefánik. Before he participated in the founding of Czechoslovakia though, he was first an astronomer and aviator.

Vlasta Adele Vraz : A Czech-American during Communist Czechoslovakia

Vlasta Adele Vraz was a Czech-American who served as the director of American Relief for Czechoslovakia after World War II and was arrested as a spy by the Communist government in Czechoslovakia.

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.

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.

A History of Czech Feminism

The once egalitarian, agrarian society of Bohemia became ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty, causing a regression in women’s rights until Christianity helped improve their lives. The National Revival brought the creation of Czechoslovakia and greater rights for women. When communism came, rights improved in some ways and did not in others. The change to a capitalistic democracy brought further changes.

Czech National Revival

A response to increased Germanization, the Czech National Revival revived Czech literature, language, history, and politics. Increased nationalism marked this period of cultural revival.

Edvard Beneš (28 May 1884 - 3 September 1948)

Edvard Beneš (28 May 1884 - 3 September 1948)

The Complicated Foreign Affairs of the Early 20th Century

A Scalpel, Two Annas, and a Glass Ceiling

A Scalpel, Two Annas, and a Glass Ceiling

Women in Medicine: the Beginning

Mother's Day in Czechia: Charlotte Masaryk

Mother's Day in Czechia: Charlotte Masaryk

Learn more about the Inspiration for Mother’s Day in the Czech Republic

An Army with No Country: A Siberian Odyssey 

An Army with No Country: A Siberian Odyssey 

It’s the First World War, and the Czechoslovaks got to get their soldiers from Ukraine to France, but without going through a Central Powers country or a sea without enemy ships. What do they do? Naturally, they go East: fight through the Bolsheviks, take over the Russian railway network, capture most of Siberia, and reach Vladivostok before the ships arrive to get you home. All this while losing less than 10% of your men over three years of fighting. It might sound crazy, but this is just the 2nd part to the story of the Czechoslovak Legion.

An Army with No Country: The Czechoslovak Legion in Europe

An Army with No Country:  The Czechoslovak Legion in Europe

The Czechoslovak Legion and their story in a war torn Europe

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.