Jan Hus Day
Jan Hus Day is a national public holiday in the Czech Republic, commemorating the martyrdom of Jan Hus in 1415. Hus, a priest and reformer, advocated for reform within the Catholic Church and was a Master at Charles University in Prague. His followers, known as Hussites, supported his teachings. In 1412, he was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Subsequently, he was tried for treason and found guilty, leading to his execution by burning at the stake. Before his death, Hus prophesied the rise of another figure who would challenge the Church. Indeed, in 1517, Martin Luther initiated the Protestant Reformation by nailing his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. Many people commemorate Jan Hus Day through charitable actions.