In the news1942
Heydrich assassinated (1942)
Czechoslovak parachutists assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, leading to brutal reprisals including the destruction of Lidice and Ležáky.
Born 15 May 1949
5 facts1 source
Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.
15 May 1949
Born
She has lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1942
Czechoslovak parachutists assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, leading to brutal reprisals including the destruction of Lidice and Ležáky.
What people wore
Clothing Rationing and Mandatory Recycling
From 1939, citizens were issued non-transferable clothing ration stamps (šatenky) valid for one year, forcing widespread recycling, mending, and repurposing of old textiles, such as re-stitching clothes and rabbit hides. Authorities strictly limited household stocks, and one official was even arrested for hoarding items like 150 pairs of stockings and 27 suits.
Getting around
Travel time between Prague and Brno
In 1918, the rail journey between Prague and Brno took six hours, and even with later improvements, it took five hours by 1960.
Around the world · 1939–1945The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.
In the news1941
The Nazi regime established the Theresienstadt ghetto, which became a transit site for deportations to extermination camps.
Music
Socialist folk dance performances
In the late 1940s, socialist ensembles performed staged folk suites like Carnival Jamboree, which used traditional masks alongside modern characters like tractor drivers.
Daily life
Changes in children's schooling during occupation
Schools increased German language instruction hours significantly, while teaching Czech literature was restricted or linked to German literature after 1941. By 1945, regular attendance practically ceased due to coal shortages and air raid threats, with students instead receiving homework assignments.