Havel Gets Historic Czech Document
- Share via
TIMES MUSIC CRITIC
WASHINGTON — Visiting Czechoslovak President Vaclav Havel on Wednesday accepted from Congress the 1918 first draft of his country’s declaration of independence, calling it “the birth certificate” of his fledgling government.
Standing before a portrait of George Washington at the Capitol, Havel received the document from House and Senate leaders.
The document had been safeguarded for four decades by the Library of Congress while Czechoslovakia was under Communist rule.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
