Chuck Darwin<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://kolektiva.social/@MikeDunnAuthor" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>MikeDunnAuthor</span></a></span> </p><p>Jan Palach was the first to immolate himself in Wenceslas Square -- where a memorial to his death now stands, <br>but he wasn't the last; </p><p>Palach arguably -- as he stated in a letter he left behind -- was part of a suicide pact formed of students and others willing to sacrifice themselves in protest of the invasion. </p><p>Most of the other students did not go through with their pact after Palach made statements on his death bed about the degree of pain that they faced; </p><p>but <a href="https://c.im/tags/Jan" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Jan</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/Zaj%C3%ADc" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Zajíc</span></a>, another student who according to some was a friend of Palach's, did.</p><p>The two students are memorialized with several monuments throughout the city, <br>among which a modern sculpture by American artist John Hejduk on Jan Palach square near to the entrance to the philosophy faculty of Charles University, <br>where Palach was a student <br>-- and a bronze plaque with a copy of the student's death mask on the same square. </p><p>A bronze cross marks the spot where Palach set himself on fire, <br>followed by Zajíc one month later. </p><p>Zajíc committed suicide in the entrance of the building at No. 39 on Wenceslas square, where today a small plaque reminds of his act. </p><p>In the middle of Wenceslas square there is another memorial plaque commemorating both students.</p><p>Palach's body was initially interred in Olšany Cemetery, <br>but after his gravesite grew into a national shrine, the Czech secret police exhumed his remains. </p><p>His cremated body was sent to his mother in Palach’s native town of Všetaty. </p><p>The urn full of ashes was officially returned on October 25, 1990, to the initial site. </p><p>Later, the square in front of the univerity he had attended was named after him, <br>and the bronze cross was embedded at the spot on Wenceslas Square where he fell. </p><p>There are also several other memorials to Palach in cities throughout Europe.</p><p>In a letter that Palach left behind, he wrote: <br>"Considering that our nations have found themselves on the brink of hopelessness and resignation, <br>we decided to express our protest and awaken the consciousness of the nation. <br>Our group consists of volunteers who are willing to set themselves on fire for our cause. <br>I had the honor to draw number one and thus I gained the right to write the first letters and to enroll as the first torch. <br>Our demands are: <br>1) immediate abolishment of censorship <br>2) ban on the spreading of "Zprávy" </p><p>(Note: a Soviet newspaper, the title translates as "News"). </p><p>As can be seen our demands are not unreasonable, <br>rather on the contrary. </p><p>If our demands are not met within five days, that is January 21st, 1969, <br>and if the nation doesn't rise with sufficient support (time-unlimited strike) of our demands other torches will be lit. </p><p>-- Torch no. 1 </p><p>P.S. I believe our nations will not require more light. <br>January 1968 began from the top, <br>January 1969 must begin from the bottom (if it is to begin)."</p><p>About a month later the eighteen-year-old student of the Industrial Highschool of Railways Jan Zajíc followed him, <br>setting himself on fire and dying immediately. </p><p>He too, left behind a letter explaining the motives behind his act: <br>"Mother, father, brother, little sister! </p><p>When you read this letter, I will already be dead or close to death. </p><p>I know what a severe blow my act will be to you, <br>but don't be angry at me. </p><p>Unfortunately, we are not alone in this world. <br>I am not doing this because I would be tired by life, on the contrary, <br>because I cherish it too much. </p><p>Hopefully my act will make life better. </p><p>I know the price of life and I know it is the most precious thing. <br>But I want a lot for you, for everyone, so I have to pay a lot. </p><p>Do not lose your heart after my sacrifice, <br>tell Jacek to study harder and Marta too. </p><p>You must never accept injustice, be it in any form, my death will bind you. </p><p>I am sorry that I will never see you or that, which I loved so much. </p><p>Please forgive me that I fought with you so much. </p><p>Do not let them make me a madman. </p><p>Say hi to the boys, the river and the forest."</p><p><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/jan-palach-memorial" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">atlasobscura.com/places/jan-pa</span><span class="invisible">lach-memorial</span></a></p>