History of Czech Republic in Timeline

The Czech Republic, or Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, historically known as Bohemia. It borders Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. Its landscape is hilly, spanning 78,871 square kilometers with a temperate climate. Prague is the capital and largest city, with other major cities including Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, and Liberec.

1901: Škoda Motorsport engaged in competition racing

The Škoda Motorsport has been engaged in competition racing since 1901 and has gained a number of titles with various vehicles around the world.

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 census

The Jewish population of Bohemia and Moravia, 118,000 according to the 1930 census, was nearly annihilated by the Nazi Germans during the Holocaust.

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 was the world's largest exporter of arms.

1946: Palme d'Or

In 1946, the movie Men without wings was awarded by Palme d'Or.

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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

From 1958, an era of 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.

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1969: MTX automobile company

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

1991: Adherence to Roman Catholicism

From 1991 to 2001 and further to 2011, the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39% to 27% and then to 10%.

1998: 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 12 March 1999, the Czech Republic became a member of NATO.

1999: Administrative Reform Affecting Districts

In 1999, an administrative reform reduced the importance of the older seventy-six districts (okresy), which remain as territorial divisions and seats of state administration branches.

1999: Gold medal at the World Championships

The Czech ice hockey team has won thirteen gold medals at the World Championships, including three straight from 1999 to 2001.

2000: Administrative Division into Regions

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

2001: Adherence to Roman Catholicism

From 1991 to 2001 and further to 2011, the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39% to 27% and then to 10%.

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 and 9% of its overall export earnings.

2001: Gold medal at the World Championships

The Czech ice hockey team has won thirteen gold medals at the World Championships, including three straight from 1999 to 2001.

2003: Gas consumption

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

May 2004: Czech Republic Joins Schengen Area

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

2004: Abolishment of Compulsory Military Service

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

2005: Electricity Production Sources

In 2005, 65.4 percent of electricity was produced by steam and combustion power plants (mostly coal), 30 percent by nuclear plants, and 4.6 percent came from renewable sources in the Czech Republic.

2005: Gas consumption

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

2005: Efforts to Improve Prague's Reputation

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

July 2006: Acquisition of Český Telecom

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

2006: Casino Royale filmed in Karlovy Vary

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: Open Borders with Neighbors

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

2009: Antonín Holý's Involvement in AIDS Treatment

In 2009, 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: 2011 census

According to the 2011 census, 34% of the Czech population stated they had no religion, 10.3% were Roman Catholic, 0.8% were Protestant (0.5% Czech Brethren and 0.4% Hussite), and 9% followed other forms of religion both denominational or not. 45% of the population did not answer the question about religion.

2012: The Slav Epic in the Veletržní Palace

As of 2012, Alfons Mucha's cycle of 20 large canvases named the Slav Epic, is exhibited in the Veletržní Palace of the National Gallery in Prague.

2013: UN Education Index

As of 2013, the UN Education Index ranked the Czech Republic 10th.

2016: Euro health consumer index

According to the 2016 Euro health consumer index, the Czech healthcare is 13th.

2016: Avast Acquires AVG

In 2016, Avast, led by Pavel Baudiš, acquired rival AVG for US$1.3 billion, creating a user base of about 400 million people and capturing 40% of the consumer market outside of China.

2016: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

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

2016: Economic Indices

In 2016, the unemployment rate in the Czech Republic was the lowest in the EU at 2.4%, and the poverty rate was the second lowest of OECD members, with the Economic Complexity Index ranking 7th.

2017: Internet Speeds

As of 2017, VDSL and ADSL2+ offered download speeds up to 50 Mbit/s in the Czech Republic, while cable internet offered speeds from 50 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s.

2017: GDP Growth

The Czech Republic experienced a 4.5% GDP growth in 2017.

2018: Largest Companies by Revenue

In 2018, the largest companies by revenue in the Czech Republic included Škoda Auto, ČEZ Group, Agrofert, EPH, Unipetrol, Foxconn CZ, and Moravia Steel.

2019: Airport Passenger Traffic

In 2019, Václav Havel Airport in 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, followed by the private TV Nova and Prima TV. However, TV Nova features the most watched main news program and prime time program.

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2020: Rail Network

As of 2020, the Czech Republic has 9,542 kilometers of rail lines, with significant portions electrified and consisting of single, double, and multiple-line tracks.

2020: Total Fertility Rate

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

2020: Global Innovation Index Ranking

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

2020: Best-selling daily national newspapers

The best-selling daily national newspapers in 2020/21 are Blesk, Mladá fronta DNES, Právo, Lidové noviny and Hospodářské noviny.

2021: Census Results

According to the results of the 2021 census, the majority of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic are Czechs (57.3%).

2021: Municipalities in the Czech Republic

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