Unearthed letter from a nation's founding figure contains a cryptic message, hinting at hidden truths of the country's origins
In a historic event, the first president of independent Czechoslovakia, Tomaš Garrigue Masaryk's final words were unveiled in a live broadcast attended by the current Czech President Petr Pavel. The handwritten notes, sealed for nearly a century, were discovered in an envelope that was opened early on a Friday morning.
The letter, penned by Masaryk during a turbulent period in Europe, saw the rise of Hitler in Germany, the Nazis' subsequent annexation of the Sudetenland, and the outbreak of World War II. Written in both Czech and English, the letter contained Masaryk's thoughts on the complex political situation in the ethnically diverse country, as well as his views on the German minority within the state.
Masaryk, who served as the president from 1918 to 1935, urged keeping the German minority part of the state, saying 'Give them what they deserve, but no more.' He also made derisive comments about a Slovak politician in the letter.
The envelope, containing five pages of handwritten notes, was handed over to the National Archives in 2005 by a person named Robert H. Smith. The archive had been instructed to keep the contents sealed for another 20 years, a condition that was fulfilled this year.
Despite being gravely ill at the time, having suffered a stroke, Masaryk's words still resonate deeply in the Czech Republic. He is often compared to George Washington or Abraham Lincoln in the United States for his significant role in the country's history.
Interestingly, Masaryk's wife, Charlotte Garrigue, was born in the United States. After Masaryk's death, his son, Jan, served as the foreign minister, holding the position until his own sudden death in 1948.
The letter read by the country's official broadcaster contained Masaryk's comments about his impending death and subsequent funeral. However, it was revealed that the contents were actually dictated three years before his death. Regardless, the unveiling of these long-sealed words provides a fascinating insight into the mind of one of Czechoslovakia's most revered leaders during a crucial time in the country's history.
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