It was 25 years ago, "the Velvet Revolution"

A peaceful political transition, is what characterizes the process that led to the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia in 1989. It speaks of the "Velvet Revolution."

That was 25 years ago. 17 November 1989, thousands of people gathered in the streets of Prague, the capital, to commemorate the International Day of the Student.

The demonstrators then dispersed with batons by the police. This show of force offends the opinion that decides to mobilize immediately. What follows is a series of popular and peaceful protests that lead to the end of communism in Czechoslovakia.

In Prague, November 19 the Civic Forum was formed. The protest movement consists of the main Czech dissidents, including playwright Vaclav Havel.

Each day, the protesters are gaining ground, firmly but gently.

On November 24, the entire leadership of the Communist Party, whose secretary-general Milos Jakes, resigned. One of the most repressive Eastern European communist dictatorships were overthrown.

A month later, December 29, 1989, the opposition leader Vaclav Havel arrives at the head of the country. He was the first democratically elected president. He often called the "philosopher president" will first President of the Federal Czech and Slovak Republic from 1989 to 1992 and President of the Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003.

As for the country, the fall of communism will be a transition. In 1992, due to the rise of nationalist tensions within the government, Czechoslovakia is dissolved. On 1 January 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia become two independent states.

Twenty-five years later, the analysis of the 1989 events differ. According to a recent survey published by the Centre for the Study of Public Opinion (CVVM) and the Institute of Public Affairs in Bratislava, about two thirds of Czechs consider the Velvet Revolution was worth, but only 58% Slovaks interviewed see this event positively.