Czech Embassy Bike Challenge
Why 19.18 km?
The year 1918 brought independence and sovereignty to the Czech people. That year, future President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and sitting US President Woodrow Wilson shared a friendship and vision that forever changed the map of Europe with the creation of a sovereign, democratic state on October 28. Albeit the flame dimmed with WWII and again with the communist coup d'état in 1948, President Václav Havel picked up the torch after the 1989 Velvet Revolution and carried the message of adherence to human rights and democratic values to the US Congress, where his bust and words are now replicated in stone. The Czech Embassy Challenge honors the historic year of independence via its 19.18 km track and challenges all to seek out Czech connections in Washington, DC.
Learning through play
The Challenge is part of the Czech Embassy’s Mutual Inspirations Festival 2020 – John Amos Comenius. Comenius, the Father of Modern Education transformed the world through his push for universal education and reformation of teaching methods, which included learning through play. Find important places for the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, and share your pictures on social media.