Today is the 28th of September and is Czech Statehood Day; Den české státnosti. A National Holiday. A Bank Holiday as National Holidays are known here.
On this day in 935, Duke Wenceslas(Vaclav), the monarch and Duke of Bohemia from 921 was murdered by his brother Boleslav in town currently named Stará(Old) Boleslav.
"King" Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Czech People and the Czech Republic. He is revered. Today is also the name day for all Men named Vaclav.
He was the son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia and was from the Přemyslid dynasty. His father was raised in a Christian tradition through his grandfather, Bořivoj, and was converted by Saints Cyril and Methodius, the "apostles to the Slavs"(Very famous Czech Saints)
He was student of Saint Ludmilla, his grandmother. He ascended to power when his father was killed during a pagan backlash against Christianity. His mother Drahomíra, was the "daughter of a pagan tribal chief of the Havolans tribe and was baptized at the time of her marriage" (Thank God! Phew...to think,,,what would have happened if she was not baptized!)
After his death, Wenceslas was canonized as a Saint due to his martyr'd death, as well as several purported miracles that occurred after his death at his tomb, Of course, we know "Good King" Wenceslas in the English-speaking world from the well-known Christmas Carrol "Good King Wenceslas."
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