History of Czech Republic in Timeline

The Czech Republic, or Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. Its landscape is hilly, covering 78,871 square kilometers with a temperate climate. Prague is the capital and largest city, with other major urban centers including Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, and Liberec.

1901: Škoda Motorsport in competition racing

Since 1901, the Škoda Motorsport has been engaged in competition racing.

1920: Schism with the neo-Hussite Czechoslovak Hussite Church

In 1920, the Roman Catholic Church in Czech Republic suffered a schism with the neo-Hussite Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

1930: Jewish Population

According to the 1930 census, the Jewish population of Bohemia and Moravia was 118,000.

1933: Establishment of IRE Film

In 1933, filmmaker and animator Irena Dodalová established the first Czech animation studio "IRE Film" with her husband Karel Dodal.

1934: Largest Arms Exporter

In 1934, Czechoslovakia was the world's largest exporter of arms.

1935: Largest Arms Exporter

In 1935, Czechoslovakia remained the world's largest exporter of arms.

1946: Men without wings awarded by Palme d'Or

At the turn of the 1940s and 1950s, Men without wings was awarded by Palme d'Or in 1946.

1948: Communist coup

After World War II and the Communist coup in 1948, art in Czechoslovakia became Soviet-influenced.

1958: The Fabulous World of Jules Verne

In 1958, the Czech film began with animated films, performed in anglophone countries under the name "The Fabulous World of Jules Verne", which combined acted drama with animation.

1969: MTX automobile company manufacture of racing and formula cars

Since 1969, MTX automobile company was formerly engaged in the manufacture of racing and formula cars.

1991: Adherence to Roman Catholicism

From 1991, the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39% to 27% to 10% in later years.

1998: Ice hockey team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics

In 1998, the Czech ice hockey team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

March 1999: Czech Republic Joins NATO

On March 12, 1999, the Czech Republic became a member of NATO, marking a significant step in its integration with Western security structures.

1999: Administrative Reform Impacting Districts

In 1999, an administrative reform reduced the importance of the older seventy-six districts, though they remained as territorial divisions.

1999: Gold medal at the World Championships

In 1999, the Czech ice hockey team won the gold medal at the World Championships.

2000: Division into Regions

Since 2000, the Czech Republic has been divided into thirteen regions and the capital city of Prague, each with its own elected regional assembly and governor.

2001: Adherence to Roman Catholicism Decrease

From 1991 to 2001, the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39% to 27%.

2001: Gold medal at the World Championships

In 2001, the Czech ice hockey team won the gold medal at the World Championships.

2001: Tourism Earnings

In 2001, total earnings from tourism in the Czech Republic reached 118 billion CZK, making up 5.5% of the country's GNP.

2003: Gas Consumption

In 2003, gas consumption in Czech Republic was approximately 100 TWh.

May 2004: Schengen Area Accession

On May 1, 2004, the Czech Republic became a member of the Schengen Area, abolishing border controls.

2004: Professional Army Transformation

In 2004, the Czech army transitioned into a fully professional organization, leading to the abolishment of compulsory military service.

2005: Gas Consumption

In 2005, gas consumption in Czech Republic was approximately 100 TWh.

2005: Electricity Production

In 2005, steam and combustion power plants produced 65.4% of electricity, nuclear plants produced 30%, and renewable sources produced 4.6%.

2005: Prague Mayor Efforts

Since 2005, Prague's mayor, Pavel Bém, worked to improve the city's reputation by cracking down on petty crime.

July 2006: Český Telecom Acquisition

On July 1, 2006, Český Telecom was acquired by Telefónica group and renamed Telefónica O2 Czech Republic.

2006: Casino Royale filming location

In 2006, the city of Karlovy Vary was used as a location for the James Bond film Casino Royale.

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December 2007: Border Opening

On December 21, 2007, the Czech Republic completely opened its borders with all of its neighbors.

2009: Holý's Involvement in AIDS Treatment

In 2009, scientist and chemist Antonín Holý was involved in the creation of the most effective drug in the treatment of AIDS.

2009: Vietnamese Population

In 2009, there were about 70,000 Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic.

2011: Census results

According to the 2011 census, 34% of the population stated they had no religion, 10.3% were Roman Catholic, 0.8% were Protestant, and 9% followed other forms of religion.

2012: The Slav Epic in the Veletržní Palace

As of 2012, Alfons Mucha's Slav Epic, a cycle of 20 large canvases, can be seen in the Veletržní Palace of the National Gallery in Prague.

2013: UN Education Index Rank

As of 2013, the UN Education Index ranks the Czech Republic 10th, positioned behind Denmark and ahead of South Korea.

2016: Euro health consumer index

According to the 2016 Euro health consumer index, the Czech healthcare is 13th, ranked behind Sweden and two positions ahead of the United Kingdom.

2016: Avast Acquires AVG

In 2016, Avast, led by Pavel Baudiš, bought rival AVG for US$1.3 billion, creating a large user base in the antivirus software market.

2016: Czech and Slovak Puppetry on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

In 2016, Czech and Slovak Puppetry was included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

2016: Economic Indicators

In 2016, the Czech Republic had the lowest unemployment rate in the EU at 2.4% and the second-lowest poverty rate among OECD members.

2017: Internet Services

As of 2017, VDSL and ADSL2+ were offered with download speeds of up to 50 Mbit/s, and cable internet was gaining popularity with speeds from 50 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s.

2017: GDP Growth

In 2017, the Czech Republic experienced a 4.5% growth in GDP.

2018: Largest Companies by Revenue

In 2018, the largest companies in the Czech Republic by revenue included Škoda Auto, ČEZ Group, and Agrofert.

2019: Airport Passenger Traffic

In 2019, Václav Havel Airport Prague handled 17.8 million passengers.

2019: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2019, the Czech Republic was ranked 26th in the Global Innovation Index.

2020: Most watched broadcaster

As of 2020, Czech Television is the most watched broadcaster in the Czech Republic, followed by the private TV Nova and Prima TV.

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2020: Rail Network Statistics

As of 2020, the Czech Republic had 9,542 kilometers of rail lines, with 3,236 km electrified.

2020: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2020, the Czech Republic was ranked 24th in the Global Innovation Index.

2020: Best-selling daily national newspapers

In 2020, the best-selling daily national newspapers in Czech Republic are Blesk (average 703,000 daily readers), Mladá fronta DNES (average 461,000 daily readers), Právo (average 182,000 daily readers), Lidové noviny (average 163,000 daily readers) and Hospodářské noviny (average 162,000 daily readers).

2020: Fertility Rate

In 2020, the total fertility rate in the Czech Republic was estimated at 1.71 children per woman.

2021: Census Results

According to the 2021 census, the majority of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic are Czechs (57.3%), followed by Moravians (3.4%) and Slovaks (0.9%).

2021: Most visited online news platforms

As of 2021, most Czechs (87%) read their news online, with Seznam.cz, iDNES.cz, Novinky.cz, iPrima.cz and Seznam Zprávy.cz being the most visited.

2021: Municipalities Division

As of 2021, the Czech Republic is divided into 6,254 municipalities, including cities and towns, with Prague functioning as both a region and municipality.

2021: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2021, the Czech Republic was ranked 24th in the Global Innovation Index.

2021: Defence Spending

In 2021, the Czech Republic's defence spending was approximately 1.28% of its GDP.

2021: World Press Freedom Index ranking

In 2021, the Czech press was ranked as the 40th most free press in the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

2022: Gas Supplies Shift

After the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech government gradually stopped gas supplies from Russia.

2023: GDP per Capita

As of 2023, the Czech Republic's GDP per capita was $51,329 at purchasing power parity and $29,856 at nominal value.

2024: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

As of 2024, the Czech Republic boasts 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 3 of them being transnational, and 13 sites on the tentative list.

2024: Mean Wealth Country Ranking

In 2024, according to Allianz A.G., the Czech Republic was ranked 24th as a mean wealth country based on net financial assets.

2024: Net Migration

In 2024, the Czech Republic experienced a net migration of 36,845 people, including Ukrainian and Slovak immigrants.

2025: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2025, the Czech Republic ranked 32nd in the Global Innovation Index.

2025: Largest Defense Companies

In 2025, the largest defense companies included the Czechoslovak Group, STV Group, and Colt CZ Group.

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