Czech America in the Struggle for Independent Czechoslovakia

As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the independence of Czechs and Slovaks from the Austro-Hungarian oppression and the foundation of Czechoslovakia on October 28, 1918, we should also remember the role the Czech Americans played on behalf of their homeland. This is why we are thankful to guest author Miloslav Rechcígl, Jr. for his...

History, Holidays, NOSTALGIA

September 20, 2018

Hanging on Dearly to Our Bohemian Identity

While reading, please remember that this post was written and published on September 20, 2018 and I have not been on Facebook for over a year and thus cannot access the group. (Added August 20, 2022) Most of the content is still relevant today. Today’s post is an experiment. I had some ranting posts at...

Bohemians, History

July 23, 2018

Czech Dumplings and Scrambled Eggs

Today I am sharing a recipe for a true classic, Czech Dumplings and Scrambled Eggs, known as Knedlíky s Vajíčkem in Czech. This tasty dish only has a few ingredients and is very quick and easy to make. Ingredients Leftover bread dumplings (4 or 6) 3 eggs I Tbsp. lard or butter chopped small onion or...

LIFESTYLE, Recipes

July 16, 2018

The Bohemian Beauties of František Dvořák

František Dvořák, born Bruner, also known as Franz Dvorak or Franz Bruner was a Czech painter. He was born on November 14, 1862 and died on June 7, 1927. He was the son of a tailor named Václav Bruner. He later changed his name to “Dvořák”, possibly for patriotic reasons. He displayed artistic talent from...

Art and Design, CULTURE

July 9, 2018

The Story of the Czech Stonehenge

You’ve all heard about the famous Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, right? Well guess what… There is a Czech Stonehenge as well! In a pleasant environment surrounded by nature, a stone circle of giant stones was built in August of 2008. The stones were placed according to expert series of famous psychotronics by...

Czech Republic, PLACES

July 2, 2018

The Letov L-290 Orel Maneuvering Through Prague

Imagine walking down the sidewalk in Prague when suddenly the larger than life body of an airplane moves past you. That is exactly what happened just a few months after the end of WWII with the plane that would be known as the Letov L-290 Orel. LETOV is an aircraft company located in Prague –...

History, Time Warp

June 25, 2018

Martha Gellhorn Reports on Czechoslovakia in 1938

Today we are looking at Martha Gellhorn’s report on Czechoslovakia in 1938. Martha Ellis Gellhorn (November 8, 1908 – February 15, 1998) was an American novelist, travel writer, and journalist who is considered one of the great war correspondents of the 20th century. She reported on virtually every major world conflict that took place during...

History, Periodicals

June 18, 2018

Sykora Bakery in Czech Village, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Today we are strolling down the Avenue in the heart of the Czech Village, to Sykora Bakery, a landmark serving Cedar Rapids & the Czech Community for over a century! (Since 1903, to be exact!) In the following Czech Village photo from 1910, horses and horseless carriages share the road that is divided by trolley...

PLACES, Restaurants

June 11, 2018

Šumava National Park (The Bohemian Fairytale)

“Not all who wander are lost” J. R. R. Tolkien There are so many places to explore, there are so many places to adore. Yet again, I have failed time and time again to discover a part of the world which instills a greater sense of tranquility in me than the Šumava National Park. Source:...

Czech Republic, PLACES, Wanderlust

June 10, 2018

Memorial to Lidice by Bohuslav Martinů

On an unforgettable night in June 1942, the peaceful village of Lidice, Czechoslovakia, ceased to exist. It was neither earthquake nor flood that wiped this town from the verdant hills west of Prague; it was the dark evil of man’s nature. Nazi troops swept through the village as it slept, killing the men, deporting the...

Czech Republic, History

June 4, 2018

American Students from Purdue University Enjoy Themselves in Prague

Dr. James Tanoos recently finished up a Study Abroad to Prague, Czech Republic with 30 students from Purdue University, USA. The trip was entitled “Purdue Polytechnic’s Central European Multinational Automobile Organization Supply Chain Experience”. Hearing from Dr. Tanoos, the students loved the beautiful city of Prague and thanks to his comprehensive report at his blog, today...

Czech Republic, LIFESTYLE

June 1, 2018

Našinec – Last Czech-Language Newspaper in Texas Coming to an End

After 104 years of publication, the end for the last Czech-language newspaper in Texas could come in a Williamson County nursing home. It’s there that 82-year-old Joe Vrabel puts out the Našinec paper as far more labor of love than producer of profit. “Oh, I hate to see it go,” he told me in the...

CULTURE, Periodicals

May 30, 2018

Old Czech Language and the National Anthem

Czech language developed at the close of the 1st millennium from common West Slavic. Until the early 20th century, it was known as Bohemian but I will refer to it as old Czech language in this post. I wanted you to hear a wonderful example of old Czech language, at least as old an example...

Bohemians, ENTERTAINMENT, History, LIFESTYLE, Movies, NOSTALGIA

May 28, 2018

The Tragic 1895 Quicksand Disaster at the Town of Most

Imagine walking with your family, coming home from market when suddenly the buildings around you begin to crumble and the earth begins to swallow the people right in front of you. That is exactly what occurred in 1895 in a city called Most in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) in the worst quicksand disaster in...

History, Movies, NOSTALGIA

May 27, 2018

Resistance Has a Code Name: Operation Anthropoid

Being May 27th, we are looking at an evil monster from history known as the Butcher of Prague and the various films made about Operation Anthropoid, the plot to kill him in Czechoslovakia. Operation Anthropoid, with its course and consequences, is the most heroic and tragic story in the modern Czech history. Warrant Officer Jozef Gabčík (Slovak)...

History, Movies

May 25, 2018

In Memory of Award Winning Czech Director Miloš Forman

Miloš Forman, the most successful Czech-American filmmaker and scriptwriter, who lived in the US since 1968, a holder of two Oscars for the best directions, three Golden Globe awards and BAFTA prizes in the same category, died on Friday, April 13, 2018, in a hospital in Danbury, Conn. He was 86. He has been SVU...

Bohemians, ENTERTAINMENT, Movies, PEOPLE