The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes (USTR) in the Czech Republic has unveiled a new online portal featuring a comprehensive collection of materials from the tumultuous period of August 1968, when Czechoslovakia was invaded by Warsaw Pact troops. This portal provides a valuable resource for individuals interested in delving into the historical context, offering photographs, radio broadcast recordings, and written documents from that critical time in the nation’s history.

The USTR’s new online platform is dedicated to presenting a range of materials related to the years 1968 and 1969. The institute has collated and made available online over 100,000 pages of documents, reflecting its commitment to historical preservation and dissemination. The launch of this portal coincides with the 55th anniversary of the invasion that marked the commencement of 21 years of occupation by the Soviet army.

Among the content accessible on the portal are various resources that shed light on the events of the invasion and subsequent years. This includes poignant materials such as a list of invasion victims, as well as official documents from the security forces of communist Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. Additionally, the platform features multimedia elements, encompassing video recordings and photographs that capture the events and atmosphere of that period.

By creating this portal, the USTR aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of the historical significance of the events that transpired in 1968 and 1969. This resource-rich platform offers researchers, historians, educators, and the general public an opportunity to engage with primary source materials and gain insights into the political, social, and cultural dynamics of that era. As the institute continues to champion the study of totalitarian regimes and their impact on society, this portal serves as a commendable initiative to ensure the accessibility of historical materials for present and future generations.

Article by Prague Forum