Czech Statehood Day

Yesterday, the 28th of September was Czech Statehood Day; Den české státnosti. On that day in 935, Duke Wenceslas(Václav),the monarch and Duke(Kníže) of Bohemia from 921 and future patron of the Bohemian nation, was murdered by his brother Boleslav in Stará Boleslav over religious beliefs.

Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Czech People and the Czech Republic. His name is affixed to Václavské náměstí and to the statue pictured above. Yesterday is also the name day for all Men named Václav and today, Monday, is a bank holiday.

Some Czech History: He was the son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia from the Přemyslid dynasty. His grandfather, Bořivoj, raised his father in a Christian tradition. He was the grandson of Saint Ludmilla( the name of the large Cathedral here in náměstí Miru). He ascended to power when his father was killed during a pagan backlash against Christianity. His mother Drahomíra, was the daughter of a pagan tribal chief (hummm...)of the Havolans tribe but was baptized at the time of her marriage (Thank God! Phew..).

After his death, Wenceslas was canonized as a Saint due to his martyr'd death, as well as several purported miracles that occurred after his death at his tomb. Wenceslas is best known in the English-speaking world as the subject of the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas." (except he was a Duke)