Václav Havel

5 October 1936 – 18 December 2011

Václav Havel was a Czech playwright, dissident, and statesman who became a leading figure of the Velvet Revolution against communist rule. He served as the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Václav Havel.

Life events

Born in Prague
5 October 1936

Born into a prominent intellectual and entrepreneurial family in Prague.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Premiere of The Garden Party
1963

His absurdist play established his reputation as a playwright.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Co-authored Charter 77
1977

Became a leading spokesman for the Charter 77 human-rights manifesto.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Imprisoned as a dissident
1979 – 1983

Served years in prison for his political activism against the communist regime.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led the Velvet Revolution
November 1989

Became a central leader of the nonviolent revolution that ended communist rule.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Elected President of Czechoslovakia
29 December 1989 – July 1992

Became the last president of Czechoslovakia in December 1989.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became first President of the Czech Republic
2 February 1993 – 2 February 2003

Served as president of the newly independent Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Hrádeček
18 December 2011

Died at his country home in the northern Czech Republic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓