Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution, 1989 - in pictures

Thirty years ago, Czech photographer Bohumil Eichler was working for a dissident student-run news agency when the Velvet Revolution began. His work from Prague has rarely been seen, until now.

  • 5 images have been removed from this gallery as they were not taken by Bohumil Eichler

Main image: Wenceslas Square, 1989 Photograph: Bohumil Eichler

  • 20 November 1989

    Leaflets distributed by the anti-communist, pro-Havel Civic Forum group. The leaflet on the right reads, ‘End totalitarianism’
    20 November 1989: Leaflets distributed by the anti-communist, pro-Havel Civic Forum group. The leaflet on the right reads, 'End totalitarianism'

  • 23 November 1989, 18:00

    Czechs look at floral tributes left at Národní třída in central Prague, where peaceful demonstrators were beaten by police on 17 November
    23 November 1989, 18:00: Czechs look at floral tributes left at Národní třída in central Prague, where peaceful demonstrators were beaten by police on 17 November

  • 24 November 1989, 16:45

    A crowd at the bottom end of Wenceslas Square in Prague, part of an enormous demonstration
    24 November 1989, 16:45: A crowd at the bottom end of Wenceslas Square in Prague, part of an enormous demonstration

  • 24 November 1989, 21:00

    Protestors in Wenceslas Square celebrate the resignation of the Presidium of the Communist Party
    24 November 1989, 21:00: Protestors in Wenceslas Square celebrate the resignation of the Presidium of the Communist Party

  • 25 November 1989, 20:00

    Banners in Wenceslas Square in Prague
    25 November 1989, 20:00: Banners in Wenceslas Square in Prague

  • 25 November 1989, 21:30

    A young man reflects at the spot where Czech student Jan Palach set fire to himself in Wenceslas Square in January 1969, in protest at the crushing of the Prague Spring
    25 November 1989, 21:30: A young man reflects at the spot where Czech student Jan Palach set fire to himself in Wenceslas Square in January 1969, in protest at the crushing of the Prague Spring

  • 26 November 1989, 14:35

    An estimated 800,000 people gather for a demonstration in Prague’s Letná park, a protest that is credited as being the final nail in the coffin of the communist regime
    26 November 1989, 14:35: An estimated 800,000 people gather for a demonstration in Prague’s Letná park, a protest that is credited as being the final nail in the coffin of the communist regime

  • 29 December 1989, 17:45

    Czech people gather in Prague’s Old Town Square to celebrate and dance at a ‘Ball of National Understanding’
    29 December 1989, 17:45: Czech people gather in Prague’s Old Town Square to celebrate and dance at a 'Ball of National Understanding'

  • 31 December 1989, midnight

    Celebrations in Wenceslas Square
    31 December 1989, midnight: Celebrations in Wenceslas Square
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