What happened in February? – Inspiration for your free time

February is the shortest month of the year, lasting 28 days, or 29 days in leap years. Czech linguists claim that the name February comes from the ice that appears in the water. You can check out the weather lore for February and various interesting days, events and anniversaries that this month has to offer, thanks to Kudy z nudy.

2 February 1993 – Václav Havel became the first Czech president

Václav Havel (1936–2011) was a playwright, essayist and dissident who criticised the communist regime. He then became a politician and statesman. In 1989, he became the ninth president of Czechoslovakia. After the division of Czechoslovakia on 1 January 1993, two separate republics were formed, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with Václav Havel as the first president of the Czech Republic. He remained in office until 2003.

2 February – Candlemas

On 2 February, we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, known as Candlemas. This day marks the end of Christmas, when winter begins to wane and spring is a little closer. It is also celebrated by lighting candles and burning thunder candles, which have the power to ward off evil. Our ancestors used them during storms to protect their homes from lightning and fire.

2 February – World Wetlands Day

Wetlands are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world. World Wetlands Day highlights their importance for nature, water and climate and warns of their rapid decline. We recommend visiting some of these areas and discovering the diverse life of wintering birds.

3 February 1342 – Floods destroyed Judith Bridge in Prague

During severe flooding in Prague, Judith Bridge, which was built 170 years earlier and was the predecessor of Charles Bridge, was destroyed.

5 February 1365 – Consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Karlštejn

In the presence of Emperor and King Charles IV, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was solemnly consecrated at Karlštejn Castle. The imperial and later Czech coronation jewels were kept in this key part of the castle, in the main sacred space of the castle, on the second floor of the Great Tower, decorated with paintings by Master Theodoric.

7 February 1311 – The Luxembourg dynasty ascends to the Bohemian throne

On 7 February 1311, the Luxembourg dynasty was crowned on the Czech throne; John of Luxembourg and his wife Elizabeth of Bohemia became King and Queen of Bohemia. The Luxembourgs brought stability, international prestige and, during the reign of King Charles IV, a significant cultural and economic upswing.

7 February 1885 – founding of the Museum of Decorative Arts

On 7 February 1885, the Museum of Decorative Arts was founded in Prague. On the same day, the first exhibition was held in the Rudolfinum. The Neo-Renaissance building was constructed between 1876 and 1884 according to designs by architects Josef Zítek and Josef Schulz. The entire building was named in honour of the son of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf, and served its cultural purpose until 1919, when it became the seat of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czechoslovak Republic.

8 February 1865 – Gregor Johann Mendel published his laws of heredity

Gregor Johann Mendel, natural scientist and founder of genetics, presented the results of his many years of work at a meeting of the Natural Science Society in Brno and formulated Mendel’s laws of heredity. These laws form the basis for the scientific cultivation of plants and animals.

8 February 1926 – The Liberated Theatre began performing

Although the Liberated Theatre first performed as the drama section of the Devětsil artistic association in October 1925 in Bratislava, its official debut was on 8 February 1926 at the Na Slupi theatre in Prague. This avant-garde theatre was famous mainly thanks to Jan Werich, Jiří Voskovec and Jaroslav Ježek.

10 February 1975 – opening of the Kotva department store

The Kotva department store, designed by the Machonin couple, was ceremoniously opened on Náměstí Republiky in Prague.

11 February 1955 – first live sports broadcast in Czechoslovakia

At the time when the ice hockey match was taking place at the Štvanice Winter Stadium, Czech Television provided the first live television sports broadcast in Czechoslovakia. This historic match was played between Prague ice hockey players and the Swedish club Leksand. Vít Holubec provided commentary on the match.

11 February 1987 – Oscar nomination for the film My Sweet Little Village

In the Czech film Vesničko, má středisková (1985) by director Jiří Menzel, the famous line “You were enjoying yourself again, weren’t you, Doctor?” was uttered. In February 1987, the film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 59th Academy Awards for 1986.

12 February 1784 – the royal capital of Prague was established

On 12 February 1784, the Royal Capital City of Prague was created by the merger of four separate royal cities (Old Town, New Town, Lesser Town, Hradčany). Do you know all the parts and districts of this city?

12 February 1925 – first radio broadcast from the National Theatre

On 12 February 1925, the first radio broadcast from the National Theatre in Prague took place. At that time, the only station, Radiožurnál, broadcast Smetana’s opera The Two Widows, using just a single microphone and telephone.

12 February 1985 – first fission reaction in Dukovany

On the night of 12 February 1985, the first controlled fission reaction was initiated at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. This event was a key moment in the field of Czechoslovak energy and technical development.

13 February 2001 – Oscar nomination for the film Musíme si pomáhat (We Must Help Each Other)

On 13 February 2001, the Czech film by director Jan Hřebejk, Musíme si pomáhat (2000), was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 73rd Academy Awards for 2000.

13 February 1992 – Czechoslovakia officially connected to the internet

Although there had been previous attempts to connect, on 13 February 1992, the Czechoslovak Republic was connected to the global computer network. The first institution to connect to the internet was the Czech Technical University in Prague.

14 February – Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, the holiday of lovers, connects us to the legend of Saint Valentine. It is a symbol of love and affection. This day is a great opportunity to please your loved ones with a small gesture, a message or spending time together.

14 February 1970 – first colour television broadcast

On 14 February 1970, the first experimental colour television broadcast took place in Czechoslovakia, during a live broadcast from the World Ski Championships in the High Tatras in Slovakia.

15 February 1921 – first Czechoslovak census

In mid-February 1921, the first nationwide census was conducted in the newly formed Czechoslovakia. This census provided important data on the population, ethnic composition and social conditions, which became the basis for further statistics, administration and improvement of the state.

16 February 1862 – founding of Sokol

The Czech Sokol physical education organisation was founded by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fügner. Sokol became one of the pillars of Czech civil society and is still one of the largest associations in our country, combining sport, culture and community life.

18 February 1981 – Declaration of the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area

The White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area is known for its flower-filled meadows and is one of the most valuable meadow habitats in Europe. It is also important for global nature research. This area on the border between Moravia and Slovakia attracts visitors with its beautiful nature, folk traditions and numerous hiking trails. The ideal starting point for exploring the area is the White Carpathians Nature House in Veselí nad Moravou.

19 February 1992 – Oscar nomination for the film Obecná škola

The Czech film Obecná škola (1991) by director Jan Svěrák was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 64th Academy Awards in 1991.

21 February – International Tourist Guide Day

21 February is International Tourist Guide Day. Cities, information centres and tour guides themselves organise guided tours and excursions, often free of charge, which is a great opportunity to see the sights outside the main tourist season.

22 February 1998 – Czech ice hockey players win gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Nagano

At the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, where NHL stars participated for the first time, the Czechia won the tournament and brought home gold medals. The special aircraft, a Tupolev Tu-154M, which transported the winners back to Prague, can now be seen at the Aviation Museum in Kunovice.

26 February 1990 – End of the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia

Foreign Ministers Jiří Dienstbier and Eduard Shevardnadze concluded an agreement on the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia. The last soldiers left our country on 21 June 1991.

28 February 1883 – Prague’s Old Town Square was lit by electricity for the first time.

On 28 February 1883, electric lamps were lit for the first time in Prague’s Old Town Square. This project was carried out by inventor František Křižík with the help of his arc lamps.