Jan Palach

Lore & Background

Jan Palach was born in Všetaty, where he attended elementary school and was an avid reader of Jules Verne. He was an average student. His father died when Palach was 13, and he was raised in part by his grandfather. His brother, Jiří, was seven years older. In 1963, Palach began studies at a gymnasium in Mělník, graduating in 1966. He unsuccessfully applied to Charles University, then attended the Prague School of Economics before transferring to the philosophy faculty at Charles University in September 1968, where he studied history and political economics. In the summer of 1967, he worked on a chicken farm in the Soviet Union, where he instigated a strike with other Czech students that reduced their working hours from 10 to 8 per day and improved catering. On November 7, 1968, he participated in a demonstration for Czech independence.

Reader's Guide

On 16 January 1969, Palach committed self-immolation in Wenceslas Square, suffering burns to 85% of his body. According to burns specialist Jaroslava Moserová, he did so to protest against the 'demoralization' of Czechoslovak citizens caused by the occupation, not against the Soviet occupation itself. Palach's act was the third such self-immolation after those of Ryszard Siwiec and Vasyl Makukh, though Palach was not known to be aware of them. The burning of Jan Hus in 1415 may have been an inspiration. A letter from Palach demanded abolition of censorship and a halt to distribution of the Soviet newspaper Zprávy, and called for a general strike; an earlier draft also demanded resignation of pro-Soviet politicians. Palach died three days later. His funeral became a major protest. Subsequent self-immolations included Jan Zajíc and Evžen Plocek in Czechoslovakia, and Sándor Bauer and Márton Moyses in Hungary. Palach's remains were exhumed and cremated by the StB in 1973, and his ashes were returned to his initial gravesite in 1990. The 20th anniversary of his death sparked 'Palach Week' protests in 1989, considered a catalyst for the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. He is commemorated by a bronze cross in Prague, Jan Palach Square, and an asteroid named 1834 Palach.

Did You Know?

• Palach worked on a chicken farm in the Soviet Union in summer 1967 and instigated a strike that reduced working hours from 10 to 8 per day.
• According to burns specialist Jaroslava Moserová, Palach set himself on fire to protest the 'demoralization' of Czechoslovak citizens, not the Soviet occupation itself.
• Palach's remains were exhumed by the StB in 1973, cremated, and his ashes sent to his mother; an anonymous old woman's body was placed in his grave.
• The 20th anniversary of his death in 1989 led to 'Palach Week' protests, which are considered a catalyst for the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia.