THIS year, the Czech Republic is celebrating the 700th anniversary of King Charles the IV, considered to be the founder of the nation. Charles IV (1316-1378) was the most famous and important king of Bohemia. Often called "Father of the Nation," despite his Luxembourgish origin, he was voted the greatest ever Czech in a poll organized by Czech Television. Under Charles IV's rule, Bohemian lands experienced one of the best times in their history. During the four decades of his reign, the Czech kingdom became a prosperous country with a significant international status. Prague became the capital city of the Roman empire, the cultural capital of central Europe and one of the most thriving European cities at the time. On May 14, 1316, Charles IV was born in Bohemia to John of Luxembourg, king of Bohemia, and queen Elisabeth of Bohemia. He was taken by his father to France at the age of seven to be educated at the French court. After his stays in France, Luxembourg and north Italy, he came back to Bohemia in 1333 to take over the kingdom. First, he was named Margrave of Moravia in 1334, before being crowned king of the Romans in 1346. In 1355, he was crowned king of Italy and the Roman emperor was a Czech king for the first time in history. Well-educated, he spoke Latin, Czech, French, German and Italian, and was skillful politician and diplomat. Thanks to his diplomatic efforts, Charles prevented a number of conflicts in his time, and significantly expanded the Czech kingdom, while he managed to find a compromise between the power of the nobility and the monarch, and to emancipate the Bohemian church by promoting the Prague historic bishopric to archbishopric. He died on Nov. 29, 1378 at Prague Castle and was buried in the crypt of St. Vitus Cathedral. It is important to highlight the legacy and achievements of this great noble king. He provided true leadership and exceptional vision early on. Till this day, not only the Czech Republic and its people are benefiting from that but the entire European continent as well. Seven hundred years have passed since the birth of a great leader and his legacy still lives on. Humanity overall benefits greatly when the achievements of a great man are highlighted.
