John Kerry Honors Independent Czechoslovak State Day

October 28 is the national holiday Independent Czechoslovak State Day (Den vzniku samostatného československého státu), a date honoring the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918, when it split from the Austro-Hungarian empire following WWI.

Yesterday, US Secretary of State and former presidential candidate John Kerry, who lost to George W. Bush in the 2004 election, released a statement addressing the Czech people on the historical anniversary.

Kerry, by the way, comes from Czech heritage. His paternal grandfather was born in Horní Benešov, where his great-grandfather worked in a local brewery.

“On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am pleased to congratulate the people of the Czech Republic as you celebrate the 98th anniversary of your national day on October 28.

“As an American whose grandfather was born in a small town that is now Horni Benesov, I am delighted to recognize the enduring alliance between our two countries. This partnership can be seen in our joint membership in NATO and the OSCE and in our cooperative approach to a broad range of political and security issues throughout the Euro-Atlantic region and across the globe.

“Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, your nation’s founder, set a standard of support for democratic principles, respect for human rights (including women’s rights), freedom of expression, and political civility that was rare in his time and that remains a cherished aspiration in ours. As Czechs everywhere observe this special day, I hope we will all re-dedicate ourselves to Masaryk’s bold vision of a just society, where liberty thrives and truth prevails.”