The date on which the first Czechoslovakia was established, October 28 (1918), will be made a state holiday in Slovakia but not a day off from work, according to a bill approved in Parliament on Tuesday. This is a rather unusual move, as all other existing state holidays in Slovakia are also work holidays.
The bill also introduces four commemoration days: June 24 as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Communist Regime; October 12 as Samizdat Day in honour of those who issued illegal print under Communism; June 21 as the Day of Departure of the Soviet Occupation Forces from Czechoslovakia (1991); and August 21 as the Day of Victims of the Occupation of Czechoslovakia (1968).
Meanwhile, the Day of Foreign Slovaks (July 5) will be renamed to the Day of Slovaks Living Abroad.
