History of Czech Republic in Timeline

The Czech Republic (Czechia, historically Bohemia) is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. Its capital and largest city is Prague, with other major urban areas including Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, and Liberec. The country has a hilly landscape covering 78,871 square kilometers and a mostly temperate continental and oceanic climate.

1901: Engagement in competition racing

The Škoda Motorsport is engaged in competition racing since 1901.

1907: First Elections under Universal Male Suffrage

The first elections under universal male suffrage were held in 1907.

1913: Gross domestic product

In 1929 compared to 1913, the gross domestic product increased by 52% and industrial production by 41%.

1918: Regained Independence

In 1918, after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Czechoslovakia was created as a new country to reflect the union of the Czech and Slovak nations.

1918: Creation of Czechoslovakia

In 1918, during the collapse of the Habsburg monarchy at the end of World War I, the independent republic of Czechoslovakia was created.

1918: Part of the First Czechoslovak Republic

In 1918, following the collapse of Austria-Hungary after World War I, most of the Czech region became part of the First Czechoslovak Republic.

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.

1921: Minorities of Czechoslovakia

In 1921, the largest minorities in Czechoslovakia were Germans (23.6%), Hungarians (5.6%) and Ukrainians (3.5%).

1929: Increase of GDP

In 1929 the gross domestic product increased by 52% and industrial production by 41% compared to 1913.

1929: Coldest temperature

The coldest temperature ever measured was in Litvínovice near České Budějovice in 1929, at −42.2 °C (−44.0 °F).

1930: Jewish population

In 1930, 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.

1938: The Munich Agreement

Following the Munich Agreement in 1938, Nazi Germany systematically took control over the Czech lands.

1938: Industrial production

In 1938 Czechoslovakia held 10th place in the world industrial production.

May 1945: End of German Occupation

The German occupation ended on 9 May 1945, with the arrival of the Soviet and American armies and the Prague uprising.

1945: Czechoslovakia was restored

Czechoslovakia was restored in 1945 after Nazi Germany's control over the Czech lands during World War II.

1946: Men without wings awarded by Palme d'Or

After the period of Nazi occupation and early communist official dramaturgy of socialist realism in movies at the turn of the 1940s and 1950s with fewer exceptions such as Men without wings was awarded by Palme d'Or in 1946.

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1946: Communist Party Gained Votes

In the 1946 elections, the Communist Party gained 38% of the votes and became the largest party in the Czechoslovak parliament.

1948: Communist coup

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

1948: Eastern Bloc Communist State

In 1948, Czechoslovakia became an Eastern Bloc communist state following a coup d'état.

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".

1968: Prague Spring

In 1968, attempts to liberalize the government and economy were suppressed by a Soviet-led invasion of the country during the Prague Spring.

1968: Warsaw Pact Invasion

The Prague Spring political liberalization was stopped by the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.

1969: Manufacture of racing and formula cars

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

November 1989: Velvet Revolution

In November 1989, Czechoslovakia again became a liberal democracy through the Velvet Revolution.

1989: Revolutions of 1989

Analysts believe that the invasion of 1968 caused the communist movement to fracture, ultimately leading to the Revolutions of 1989.

1990: Economic Reforms and Privatizations

Since 1990, Czechs and Slovaks have been trying to create a market economy.

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%.

1991: Member of the Visegrád Group

From 1991, the Czech Republic, originally as part of Czechoslovakia, has been a member of the Visegrád Group.

December 1992: Split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia

On 31 December 1992, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the independent countries of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

December 1992: Dissolution of Czechoslovakia

On 31 December 1992, Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved, with its constituent states becoming the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

1992: Česko adopted as short name

After Czechoslovakia dissolved at the end of 1992, Česko was adopted as the Czech short name for the new state.

1993: Selection of the President

From 1993 until 2012, the President of the Czech Republic was selected by a joint session of the parliament for a five-year term.

1993: Member of the Visegrád Group

Since 1993, the Czech Republic has been a member of the Visegrád Group in its own right.

1993: Constitution of the Czech Republic

The basis of the legal system is the Constitution of the Czech Republic adopted in 1993.

1995: Member of the OECD

From 1995, the Czech Republic has been a member of the OECD.

1998: Gold medal at the Winter Olympics

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

March 1999: Czech Republic joined NATO

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

March 1999: Joined NATO

The Czech Republic joined NATO on 12 March 1999.

1999: Administrative Reform

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

1999: Gold medal at the World Championships

The Czech ice hockey team won (along with the Czechoslovakian team) 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 and the capital city of Prague, each with 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, the 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 won (along with the Czechoslovakian team) thirteen gold medals at the World Championships, including three straight from 1999 to 2001.

2003: Gas consumption

Gas consumption (approx. 100 TWh) in the Czech Republic from 2003-2005 was almost double electricity consumption.

May 2004: Czech Republic joins Schengen Area

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

May 2004: Joined the European Union

The Czech Republic joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.

2004: Local-loop unbundling

At the beginning of 2004, local-loop unbundling began in the Czech Republic, allowing alternative operators to offer ADSL and SDSL.

2004: Abolishment of compulsory military service

In 2004, the Czech army transformed into a fully professional organization, and compulsory military service was abolished.

2005: Gas consumption

Gas consumption (approx. 100 TWh) in the Czech Republic from 2003-2005 was almost double electricity consumption.

2005: Electricity production

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

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: Recognized as a developed country

In 2006 the Czech Republic was recognized by the World Bank as a "developed country".

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: Joined the Schengen Area

On 21 December 2007, the Czech Republic joined the Schengen Area.

December 2007: Open borders with neighbors

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

2007: Internet subscribers

In 2007, there were about 350,000 internet subscribers connected through Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) in the Czech Republic.

2008: Internet Service Providers

By the beginning of 2008, there were over 800 mostly local Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) in the Czech Republic.

2009: Ranked as a nation

In 2009 the Human Development Index ranked it as a nation of "Very High Human Development".

2009: Involvement in AIDS treatment drug

In 2009, Czech 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, with most deciding to stay permanently.

2010: Penal Code

The Penal Code is effective from 2010.

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 (0.5% Czech Brethren and 0.4% Hussite), and 9% followed other forms of religion. 45% of the population did not answer the question about religion.

2011: ANO 2011 Movement

In October 2017, the populist movement ANO 2011 was founded.

2012: Slav Epic in Veletržní Palace

As of 2012, the Slav Epic can be seen in the Veletržní Palace of the National Gallery in Prague.

2012: Selection of the President

From 1993 until 2012, the President of the Czech Republic was selected by a joint session of the parliament for a five-year term.

2012: Hottest temperature

The hottest temperature measured was at 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in Dobřichovice in 2012.

2013: UN Education Index Ranking

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

2013: Presidential election

Since 2013, the president has been elected directly.

2014: Civil code

A new Civil code became effective in 2014.

2016: Euro health consumer index

According to the 2016 Euro health consumer index, a comparison of healthcare in Europe, 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. Together they had a user base of about 400 million people and 40% of the consumer market outside of China.

2016: Czech and Slovak Puppetry on UNESCO List

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

2016: Lowest unemployment rate in EU

In 2016, the Czech Republic had the lowest unemployment rate in the EU at 2.4%.

2016: Czechia as official short name

In 2016, the Czech government directed the use of Czechia as the official English short name for the country.

October 2017: ANO 2011 won the elections

In October 2017, the populist movement ANO 2011 won the elections with three times more votes than its closest rival, the Civic Democrats.

December 2017: Andrej Babiš appointed prime minister

In December 2017, Czech president Miloš Zeman appointed Andrej Babiš as the new prime minister.

2017: Internet Speeds

As of 2017, VDSL and ADSL2+ with download speeds of up to 50 Mbit/s and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbit/s were offered in the Czech Republic. Cable internet was gaining popularity with speeds from 50 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s.

2017: GDP Growth

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

2018: Visa Restrictions Index

According to the 2018 Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, Czech citizens have visa-free access to 173 countries, which ranks them 7th along with Malta and New Zealand.

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.

2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

The Czech Republic had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 1.71/10, ranking it 160th globally out of 172 countries.

2019: Passengers handled at Václav Havel Airport

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: Relations with Asian democratic states

After 2020, relations with Asian democratic states, such as Taiwan, are being strengthened.

2020: Most Watched Broadcaster

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

2020: Rail network

As of 2020, the Czech Republic has 9,542 kilometers of rail lines, making it one of the densest rail networks in the world.

2020: Environmentally conscious country

As of 2020, the Czech Republic ranks as the 21st most environmentally conscious country in the world in the Environmental Performance Index.

2020: Global Innovation Index Ranking

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

2020: Total fertility rate

In 2020, the total fertility rate (TFR) in the Czech Republic was estimated at 1.71 children per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1.

2020: Best-selling daily national newspapers

The best-selling daily national newspapers in 2020 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).

2021: Census results

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

2021: Municipalities in Czech Republic

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

2021: Most Visited Online News Sources

As of 2021, the most visited online news sources are Seznam.cz, iDNES.cz, Novinky.cz, iPrima.cz and Seznam Zprávy.cz.

2021: Relations with Russia

From 2021, the Czech Republic appears on Russia's official list of enemy countries.

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 the GDP.

2021: New Prime Minister

In the 2021 elections, Petr Fiala became the new prime minister.

2021: Nationality of residents

In the Census of 2021, residents were asked about their nationality.

2021: World Press Freedom Index Ranking

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

2022: Reduced dependence on Russian gas

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

2022: Ukrainian refugees

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country took in half a million Ukrainian refugees, the largest number per capita in the world.

2022: Czechia and Czech Republic

In 2022, the American AP Stylebook stated that both Czechia and the Czech Republic are acceptable, with Czechia being the preferred shorter name by the Czech government.

January 2023: New Czech president

In January 2023, retired general Petr Pavel won the presidential election, becoming new Czech president to succeed Miloš Zeman.

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: Mean wealth country ranking

According to Allianz A.G., in 2024 the Czech Republic was ranked 24th in net financial assets, classifying it as a mean wealth country.

2024: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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