Order of the Republic

The Order of the Republic was one of the highest Czechoslovak decorations from 1951 to 1990. It was conferred by the President of the Republic for “exceptional merits in the building of the Czechoslovak Republic, especially in its peaceful building efforts in production or in cultural or scientific activity, or in increasing the state’s defence capability.” The order was established by Government Regulation No. 30/1951 Coll. and was awarded both to individuals and to collectives (including enterprises and state authorities). The order could be conferred more than once; for example, Gertruda Sekaninová-Čakrtová received it in both 1955 and 1968.

The medal of the order was originally slightly oval, measuring 40 × 43 mm, and its background was a brick wall; at the bottom were two linden branches tied with a ribbon, from which rose the staffs of two flags: the Czechoslovak flag in front, and a red flag behind it. In the centre of the medal were a hammer and sickle. On the reverse was the inscription ČSR (ČSSR from 1960) between two laurel branches, and a stamped registration number.

In 1977, the artistic design of the order was changed by law.