On January 1st, 1993, Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
A multi-ethnic nation born at the end of World War I in the glow of pan-Slavic brotherhood, Czechoslovakia survived dismemberment by the Nazis and more than four decades of Communist rule only to fall apart after just three years of democracy.
Both countries divided their common “goods” (embassies, military equipment, etc.) on a two-to-one ratio to reflect their populations.
The split “was not entirely inevitable, but the political and economic costs of keeping the country together would have been extremely high”, pointed out Jiri Pehe, political analyst and former advisor to Vaclav Havel.
The split was cheered in Prague and Bratislava, by bonfires and joyous speeches in the main square.
“Two states have been established,” Vladimir Meciar, Prime Minister of Slovakia, said at that time. “Living together in one state is over. Living together in two states continues.”
Take a look at these photos and how Czechs and Slovaks celebrated the dissolution of the Czechoslovak Federal Republic (CSFR).
