Prague

On April 7, 1348, Charles University was founded in Prague by Emperor Charles IV. It is the oldest university in Central Europe. The founding of the university was a landmark event in the history of Prague, asserting its role as a center of knowledge and learning. It initially consisted of four faculties: theology, liberal arts, law, and medicine, and attracted scholars from all over Europe. The university played a critical role in the cultural and intellectual development of Central Europe.

The First Defenestration of Prague occurred on July 30, 1419, when a crowd of radical Hussites, led by the priest Jan Želivský, stormed the New Town Hall in Prague. They hurled several members of the town council out of the windows to their deaths on the street below. This act of violence was a prelude to the Hussite Wars, which were fought between the Protestant Hussites and Catholic forces. The defenestration exemplified the intense religious conflict that was brewing in the region during this time.

The Second Defenestration of Prague was a significant event in the early stages of the Thirty Years' War. On May 23, 1618, angered by the policies of the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor, Protestant nobles in Prague threw two Catholic officials and their secretary out of a castle window. This act of defiance against Habsburg authority escalated into a full-scale revolt, subsequently leading to a prolonged and devastating conflict across Europe. The defenestration highlighted the deep religious and political tensions in the region.

The Great Fire of Prague was a massive conflagration that broke out on June 21, 1689. The fire destroyed large parts of the Old Town, New Town, and Jewish Quarter. It lasted several days and was one of the most devastating fires in the city's history. The aftermath saw extensive rebuilding and the introduction of stricter building regulations to prevent future disasters. The fire reshaped the urban landscape of Prague and had lasting effects on city planning and architecture.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered his opera 'Don Giovanni' in Prague at the Estates Theatre on October 29, 1787. The opera was commissioned after the success of 'The Marriage of Figaro' in Prague, and it became one of Mozart's most famous and critically acclaimed works. The premiere was a significant cultural event in Prague, highlighting the city's role as a major center for European classical music. The opera continues to be a staple in opera houses around the world.

On October 28, 1918, as World War I drew to a close, the people of Prague, led by the National Committee, declared the independence of a new state of Czechoslovakia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This momentous event ended centuries of Habsburg rule and was proclaimed in Prague, which became the new capital. The declaration was a culmination of nationalistic efforts and movements leading to a sovereign and democratic Czechoslovakia.

On November 15, 1939, in response to student protests in Prague against the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, the German authorities conducted violent crackdowns. The events followed the funeral of Jan Opletal, a medical student killed during earlier demonstrations. Nine student leaders were executed, and over 1,200 students were sent to concentration camps. The incident led to November 17 being marked as International Students' Day, commemorating the sacrifice of students for freedom and democracy.

The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union. It began in January 1968 when reformist Alexander Dubček was elected First Secretary of the Communist Party. By August 1968, the Warsaw Pact, in a move to suppress the liberalization, invaded Czechoslovakia with hundreds of thousands of troops. On August 21, 1968, the invasion reached Prague, crushing the reform movement. The event marked the end of the Prague Spring and renewed a period of harsh controls over the population.

The Velvet Revolution was a peaceful transition of power in Czechoslovakia that occurred from November 17 to December 29, 1989. It was a non-violent uprising against the communist regime, initiated by protests in Prague on November 17, 1989. Spearheaded by students and civic groups, the movement led to the eventual end of 41 years of Communist rule in the country. On December 29, 1989, Václav Havel was elected as the President of Czechoslovakia, marking a new era of democracy and governance in Central Europe.

In August 2002, Prague experienced devastating floods when the Vltava River overflowed its banks after heavy rains. By August 13, the flooding reached its peak, causing widespread damage to the city, including its historic center and many cultural landmarks. Thousands were evacuated, and the metro system suffered significant damage. The floods were part of the larger European floods of 2002, highlighting the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events. The disaster prompted extensive restoration efforts and improvements to the city's flood defenses.