St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Thursday, September 28th. There are until the next observance.

St. Wenceslas Day is celebrated on September 28th, and we commemorate it by remembering and learning about its history. It is also Czech Statehood Day, a Czech Republic national holiday that has been a public holiday for the past two decades. Did you know that on this day, the archbishop of Prague carries St. Wenceslas’ skull and parades it around the town of Brands nad Labem-StarΓ‘ Boleslav, where the saint was assassinated?

πŸ“† When is St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day?

This year, St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day is on September 28th. It is the 4th Thursday in September; in 2024, it is on Saturday.

Countdown to St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day

β†’ Did you know: Czechs and Slovakians continue to believe themselves connected despite their separation; nonetheless, Czechs and Slovakians are formally distinct.

You can also explore all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about September 28, 2023.

πŸ“œ History of St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day

Wenceslas began to rule in 922, when he was 15 years old, following the death of his father in 921. He had a vision of uniting Bohemia and making peace with Germany, but his brother Boleslav and the rest of his family were skeptical. Boleslav assassinated Wenceslas and the families of Wenceslas’ allies in a bid to capture power. Wenceslas became a saint after this, since he died as a martyr. After his death, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I bestowed upon him the title of king. As a result, he is the same King Wenceslas mentioned in the Christmas hymn, “Good King Wenceslas.”

St. Wenceslas is a well-known saint and martyr who was instrumental in the establishment of the Pemyslid dynasty and the liberation of the Czech state. Previously, St. Wenceslas’ Feast Day was always an important day for the Czech Republic, but, thanks to the efforts of the Christian Democratic Party, it also became a national and public holiday (Statehood Day) in 2000 and is now honored annually. It is technically two celebrations on the same day, but both celebrate the formation of the Czech Republic and the patron saint who was responsible for it.

Aside from the regular celebrations, persons who contribute to Czech sovereignty are given St. Wenceslas medals at the Prague Castle, where a remembrance wreath is laid on St. Wenceslas’ statue. There are also pilgrimages to Brands nad Labem stal, Boleslav, the site of St. Wenceslas’s assassination.

β˜‘οΈ St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day facts

βœ… Two distinct regions
The Czech Republic is divided into two regions: Bohemia to the west and Moravia to the east.

βœ… Castle rich country
With nearly 200 castles, the Czech Republic has the most in Europe.

βœ… World’s largest ancient castle
The Czech Republic is home to the world’s biggest historic castle, Prague Castle, which measures 1,870 feet long by 430 feet broad.

✨ Things to do on St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day

⚑ Order the traditional St. Wenceslas dish
Celebrate Thanksgiving by ordering the traditional entrΓ©e of roasted goose with red cabbage and potato dumplings.

⚑ Attend a church service
Traditionally, this day is honored with church services around the country. Attend a neighboring church service with your family to celebrate the patron saint and pray for the nation’s continued protection.

⚑ Visit the patron saint’s statue
Pay your homage to St. Wenceslas by visiting his statue in Prague.

πŸ“… St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 September 28 Thursday
2024 September 28 Saturday
2025 September 28 Sunday
2026 September 28 Monday
2027 September 28 Tuesday

Learn all September holidays, including Cultural and other Catholic holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about St. Wenceslas Day – Statehood Day. So be sure to check back soon.