Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day, also known as Velvet Revolution Day, is a public holiday observed in Slovakia on 17th November every year. The holiday commemorates two significant events in the country's history that took place on the same date, but decades apart. The first is the student demonstration against Nazi occupation in 1939, and the second is the peaceful Velvet Revolution in 1989 which marked the end of 41 years of communist rule in Czechoslovakia, the country that Slovakia was part of at the time.
The Velvet Revolution in 1989 brought about significant change and set the country on a path towards democracy. On 17th November 1989, students and other protesters took to the streets of Bratislava and the capital, Prague, demanding freedom and a political shift towards democracy. The revolution ended when the communist party surrendered to the growing pressure from the peaceful demonstrations, leading to the formation of a transitional government and eventually, in 1993, the establishment of Slovakia as a separate, democratic nation.
Today, Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day is not only a day off work for people in Slovakia, but also a time to remember and honour those who bravely stood up against oppression. Various events are held across the country, including laying wreaths at memorials, moments of silence, speeches, exhibitions, and concerts. It is a day of national pride when Slovakians reflect on the sacrifices of their forefathers and celebrate the democratic freedoms they enjoy today.