K zajištění klidu a veřejného pořádku... Zásah bezpečnostních složek proti demonstrantům na Václavském náměstí 20.-21. srpna 1989
To ensure peace and public order… the security forces’ intervention against demonstrators on Wenceslas square on 20 – 21 august 1989

Summary/Abstract: For most of us, the demonstrations of 1989 are linked with the November Velvet Revolution and the fall of communism. In fact, this was actually the culmination of a longstanding process, which is inextricably linked with developments in the other countries of the Soviet Bloc. The events that led to the collapse of the Communist Party’s totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia in November 1989 were preceded by growing tensions in society, an increase in opposition activities and a wave of anti-government demonstrations. Although demonstrations in August 1989 were suppressed using the Standby Regiment of the State Police, they had more work than they expected. They had to check the identities of 1560 people and made almost 500 arrests. The opposition movement had clearly been gathering strength.

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