Slovakia
16 November 1989
Spontaneous demonstration by Bratislava university students for basic civil rights and freedoms
The tinderbox of the Slovak political situation was foreshadowed by the spontaneous demonstration of Bratislava university students in the Old Town protesting against the political situation and teaching in Slovak universities. The embarrassed responses of official authorities clearly showed the discomfort of the regime. Subsequent steps by Slovak university students were carried out alongside students from other parts of the republic – they also underpinned specific Slovak demands.