to this day, wenceslas is a symbol of czech nationalism. wenceslas square is the main square of the country and a natural assembly point when the czech people need to raise their collective voice for change. in the 19th century, the age of divine kings and ruling families was coming to an end. here as in much of europe, nationalism was on the rise. by the end of world war i, the habsburgs were history, and the birth of independent czechoslovakia was celebrated on this square. but independence lasted barely 20 years. in 1939, the nazis marched in. while prague escaped the bombs of world war ii, it couldn't avoid the communists who came next and stayed for 40 years. but with this square as the stage, people power ultimately prevailed. man: in the 20th century, my family lived history in this square. in 1918, my grandma watched the habsburg eagles being pulled down from the buildings. in 1939, my aunt saw the nazis pulling in. in 1968, my dad stood here with his bare hands against the soviet tanks. in 1989, it was my generation's turn. steves: