14 March 1939: The First Republic of Slovakia - This Day in History

When most of us think of the COUNTRY of Slovakia, our memories go back to January 1, 1993 when the Republic of Slovakia was finally made a reality.  I recall having a toddler about, and watching the grinning, cheering faces flickering across my news station on the television.  They celebrated for days.  What I did not know, and most wouldn't, I imagine, is that this was not the FIRST Republic of Slovakia.  It was actually the Second.

You see, during the afternoon and night of March 14, 1939, the Slovak people proclaimed their independence from Czecho-Slovakia - only to have their hopes dashed and to find that it was all a complex ruse a mere day later.

On the evening of March 13, unbeknownst to the Slovak people, Jozef Tiso (a cleric and the Slovak leader) and German leader Adolf Hitler, along with Joachim von Ribbentrop and two other generals, met in Berlin. Hitler made it absolutely clear that either Slovakia declared independence immediately and associated itself with the Reich, or he would let the Hungarians, who were reported by Ribbentrop to be massing on the border, take the country over.  In reality, however, encouraged BY the Germans, the Hungarians were largely massing on the adjacent Ruthene border.

During the afternoon and night of March 14, the Slovak people, after eons of being subjects of other group's leaders, proclaimed their independence from Czecho-Slovakia, all in good faith.  But at 5:00 a.m. on March 15, 1939, Hitler declared that the unrest in Czecho-Slovakia was a threat to the German security, and sent his troops into Bohemia and Moravia, meeting virtually no resistance.  They had been duped.

Prior to this date, Cleveland had witnessed a significant influx of Slovakian immigrants.  The history of these people and their integration to the midwest is remarkable.  Those living here can show you the Slavik Village, incredible foods from Krusinski's, and the annual Harvest Festival held the last weekend of August each year.

I am proud to be married to a descendant of these hearty Clevelanders and love reading about their incredible history, their underground work with Christians who were suffering while under the Soviet regime for 50 years, etc.

Those researching their Slavic roots will find remarkable resources at The Slovak Institute here in Cleveland, as well as with The Hungarian Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland. 

Be sure to check out both group's list of links - as well as take some time to visit the Slovak Institute.   Please call ahead, although they are open 10am-3pm Monday through Friday.  Should you need help with your unique Slovakian ancestors, please try Slovak Ancestry. Michal Razus will be your guide.