“A World Without Walls“:
An International Congress on "Soft Power", Cultural Diplomacy and Interdependence

(Berlin; November 6th - 9th, 2009)

"1989: The Year that Changed the World"

November 24th

The Velvet Revolution succeeds

"Socialism With a Human Face" returns
November-24th.jpg
November 24th: Spontaneous celebrations broke out at Wenceslas Square in Prague amongst a crowd of 200,000 upon hearing the news that the ruling Politburo of the Czechoslovak Communist government had resigned in mass The action was a monumental victory in the week-long, student-led protest against the government that would be known as the "Velvet Revolution".

The protests in Prague were highlighted by the leadership and inspiration of figures such as Vaclav Havel, founder of the opposition Civic Forum, and Alexander Dubcek, who led the 1968 Prague Spring before Soviet intervention crushed the revolt and imprisoned Dubcek Prior to the Politburo's resignation, Dubcek gave a memorable speech alongside Havel in which he called for the country to return to "socialism with a human face"

It was clear that the Communist government's days were numbered. A new Politburo would be formed, but it's role in government would be rendered useless compared to the growing clout of the Civic Forum movement.

On November 29th, the Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia would rescind a law which gave the Communist Party control of the nation Two weeks later, Communist Party boss Gustav Hasak resigned By December 29th, Vaclav Havel stood as the elected President of Czechoslovakia and the "Velvet Revolution" had brought freedom to Czechoslovakia.