In an arcade between Wenceslas Square and the National Theatre is a small bronze plaque with symbolic hands of revolting Czech students. This memorial is one of the most crucial moments in Czech (and Czechoslovak) history – the beginning of the Velvet Revolution on November 17th. On this date, a large crowd, made up predominantly of students, headed towards Wenceslas Square from Vyšehrad, where they had been marking the 50th anniversary of the Nazi occupation. When they reached Národní, they were confronted by riot police, who charged, leaving hundreds severely beaten. Actors and theatre employees immediately called a strike, which led ultimately to the formation of the Civic Forum.
Location: Narodni trida, New Town; In Czech: Památník 17. listopadu 1989
