Day of the withdrawal of Soviet occupation troops from Czechoslovakia
June 21, Saturday
Historical Background
On 20–21 August 1968, troops from five Warsaw Pact countries, led by the Soviet Union, invaded Czechoslovakia to halt the reforms initiated by Alexander Dubček’s government. Although the invasion was initially presented as temporary, Soviet troops remained in the country for over two decades, effectively turning Czechoslovakia into a satellite state under heavy Soviet influence.
Withdrawal Process
Following the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which peacefully ended Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, negotiations began for the withdrawal of Soviet forces. The agreement was signed in 1990, and the withdrawal was completed on 21 June 1991. Approximately 73,500 Soviet soldiers, 39,000 family members, and thousands of tons of military equipment were removed from the country.
Commemoration in Slovakia and the Czech Republic
In both Slovakia and the Czech Republic, 21 June is recognized as a significant historical date, though it is not a public holiday with a day off. It serves as a reminder of the end of foreign military occupation and the restoration of full sovereignty. The day is marked by official statements, educational events, and media retrospectives. In some years, ceremonies are held at memorials dedicated to the victims of the occupation and those who resisted Soviet control.
Legacy
The withdrawal of Soviet troops is seen as a key milestone in the post-Communist transformation of Czechoslovakia and its eventual peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. It symbolizes the country’s return to democratic governance and its path toward integration with Western institutions such as the European Union and NATO.