Jan 5: Political–leader Alexander Dubcek gains control of the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia (“CSSR”).
He begins instituting sweeping reforms in and around springtime ‘68. Freedoms of speech, media and travel are widely expanded.
Then, August 21, about nine and a half months into Dubcek’s tenure, the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact allies invade. They send 20,000 troops, and 2,000 tanks into the capital and other centers–of–gravity to crush the movement.
Subsequently the great bulk of Dubcek (“Prague Spring”) reforms are reversed via the Soviets’ hand–picked reactionary Gustáv Husák.