On September 28th, the Czech Republic celebrated Czech State Day – a holiday that commemorates not so much the founding of a state as the legacy of Saint Wenceslas. Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century, is considered a national saint and a symbol of Czech identity. The anniversary of his death, September 2, 935, has been commemorated since the Midldle Ages. In 2000, this day was officially designated „Czech State Day“ and has since commemorated not only the religious but also the political and cultural roots of the Czech nation. Wenceslas of Bohemia came from the Premyslid dynasty, which shaped the medieval history of Bohemia. He became knownearly on for his piety and his efforts to anchor Bohemia in the Christian West. During his reign, he strengthened relations with the East Frankish Empire and the Church. In 935, however, he was murdered by followers of his brother Boleslav – an event that quickly made him a martyr. Just a few years later, he was canonized and became the patron saint of Bohemia. The veneration of Saint Wenceslas is closely linked to the emergence of a Czech state tradition. In the Middle Ages, he was stylized as an ideal ruler who embodied piety, justice, and national unity. His figure provided indentification at a time when Bohemian lands fluctuated between independence and dependence on the Holy Roman Empire. The Crown of St. Wenceslas, created in the 14th century, not only symbolized the royalty of Bohemia but also became a visible sign of the historical continuity of the Czech state. With the advent of modernity, the cult of St. Wenceslas took on a new significance. During the National Revival movement in the 19th century, he became a symbol of independence from the Habsburg monarchy. He also played a role in the 20th century: During German occupation in World War II, he was exploited by Nazis as a „pro-German saint“, which, however, had the opposite effect – many Czechs clung even more strongly to him as a symbol of resistance. After 1989 and the end of communism, St. Wenceslas Memorial Day finally regained official status and was declared „Day of the Czech State“ in 2000.
Today, September 28th is a national holiday on which religious and national elements merge. In Prague, a solemn service is traditionally held on this day in St. Vitus Cathedral, wherethe Crown of St. Wenceslas is displayed. Official speeches commemorate Wenceslas‘ historical role as the „eternal duke“ of the Czechs. At the same time, there are cultural events, concerts, and historical reenactments that make the holiday tangible even outside of religious contexts. Czech State Day differs from the classic independence or liberation days of other countries. It points to the deeper roots of national identity in cultural and religious traditions. While Malta and Bulgaria commemorate concrete political acts of sovereignty, the Czech Republic places September 28th at the center of a symbolic figure that has endured for centuries
In the European context, this holiday raises an interesting question: Does nation always need a modern „founding date“? Or can a state’s identity emerge just as strongly from myths, symbolic figures, and religious traditions? Czech State Day demonstrates that nations are created not only through political acts, but also through the narratives a people tells about its past.