Memorial of Two Martyrs

Memorials for Jan Palach and Jan Zajíc

Jan Palach committed suicide by self-immolation in Wenceslas Square (something we've been hearing about a lot in the news lately with this 'Arab Revolution' going on) to protest of the demoralization of Czech people as a result of the Soviet invasion of the Czechoslovak Republic. This was on January 16, 1969. He died three days later.


Jan Zajíc also committed suicide by self-immolation on Feb. 25, 1969,  the 21st anniversary of the Soviet occupation of what was then the Czechoslovak Republic. He apparently wished to encourage the Czech people to fight against the military occupation.