Page:Bohemia; a brief evaluation of Bohemia's contribution to civilization (1917).pdf/58

 into the highest virtue and the human body was treated as an evil thing. But as soon as nations began to lead a conscious life, as soon as the rights of man received some recognition, the cultivation of physical and mental forces received again proper attention. Athletics as a means to physical well-being came once more into its own. It was so in Germany, where Jahn's Turners were an important factor in the work of German unity; it was so in Italy, which saw the rise of gymnastic societies at the time of its fight of liberation; and France, too, created innumerable unions of gymnasts, as she gathered he forces together after the defeat and humiliation of 1871. Switzerland, Belgium, and not to go too far, America, all prove clearly that physical training is given an important place in the national scheme of education in every country where the people enjoy liberty and unhampered development.

It was from considerations such as these that Dr. Miroslav Tyrš called into life the Sokols (Falcons) of Bohemia.

At this point it is necessary to speak brisfly of Bohemia as it was before Sokols came into being, for otherwise we would not grasp fully the significance and the mission of this National Czech Organization called into the service of the nation that it might increase its strength and safeguard its future.

The year 1620 is a great milestone in Bohemian history. In November of that fateful year the rebellion of the Bohemian estates was crushed in the battle of the White Mountain and the people experienced the full vengeance of the victorious Hapsburgs. The leading men were executed or exiled, the greater part of the soil was confiscated, and the nation that had taken such a noble part in the history of Europe was beggared and decimated until its name almost disappeared from the roll of living nations. The peace of a churchyard prevailed in the Bohemian lands deprived of its leaders, and lying helpless under the most oppressive and reactionary regime of a foreign dynasty.

This frightful agony of an entire nation lasted more than two hundred years.