Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State
Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State is held on January 1. Czech Republic. This event in the first decade of the month January is annual. 
Help us
Help us 
While the rest of the world lights up with fireworks to welcome the New Year, the Czech Republic has a different holiday in mind during 1 January. It's on this date that they commemorate the country's independence, calling it the Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State.
Czechoslovakia had emerged as a sovereign state at the end of World War 1 in 1918. It was briefly split during World War 2, before coming under Soviet rule in 1948. In 1968, it became a federation consisting of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic.
The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic officially became separate countries on January 1st 1993. This event has been dubbed the Velvet Divorce, but an amicable one, with the Czech Republic remaining a close partner with Slovakia.
Similar holidays and events, festivals and interesting facts
St. Stephen's Day on December 26 (public holiday in Alsace, Austria, Andorra, Catalonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland);
Hromnice in the Czech Republic on February 2 (analogue to Groundhog Day);
European Day for Equal Pay Men and Women on February 22
World Tennis Day on March 4 (International Tennis Federation);
World Day of Prayer on March 6
St. Joseph's Day on March 19 (Italy, Malta, Liechtenstein);
Birthday of the "father of pedagogy" Jan Amos Comenius in the Czech Republic on March 28