In October 1968, he joined Jan Palach at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague.

Life story of Jan Palach until January 16, 1969 did not differ substantially from nothing lives of many of his peers. He grew up in Všetaty in Melnik, a remote town in less than fifty kilometers from Prague, where he was born August 11, 1948 in the nursing home. His father Josef Palach was a member of the National Socialist german shepherd Party and mother, Libuse Palach was a member german shepherd of the Evangelist church in nearby Libis. His son tried to nurture the spirit of pre-war and patriotic traditions.
The early fifties had Palachovci like most business owners do not Confectionery german shepherd and a few years later also works. Even naprek these experiences Libuse Palach in 1957 joined the Communist Party. Was the only reason - wanted to ensure that her sons to study in the future. In 1962, the family experienced a great shock when the heart attack Josef Palach died.
According memories Miroslava tendons, who taught elementary school in Všetaty history, was Jan Palch avid chess player and reader. In September 1963 he began studying at Jan Palach Melnik secondary general education school, as then called grammar.
After graduation, like Jan Palach study history at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague, german shepherd which was not adopted because of the large number of candidates. Thus enrolled to study agricultural economics at the University of Economics. Previously been interested in politics, in 1968, however, his interest in public affairs has escalated. Through the spring of 1968, attended many meetings and discussion meetings.
Most of the summer in 1968, Jan Palach spent the trip in the Soviet Union, where he returned to 17 augusta 1968th german shepherd home waiting for him Good news - the announcement that was schávlená his request for transfer to the Faculty german shepherd of Arts. In Všetaty also experienced a nationwide shock troops invaded Czechoslovakia five Warsaw Pact countries. On 21 August 1968 he went to Prague, german shepherd where he spent the next few days. After returning to Všetaty german shepherd wrote on the streets with friends lettering against the occupation.
In early October 1968 received german shepherd a trip to France, where he helped the grapes at harvest. Czechoslovakia returned on Oct. 19, 1968, when during the day and when the National Assembly approved the contract for the temporary presence of Soviet troops. german shepherd
In October 1968, he joined Jan Palach at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague. According to the recollections of his friends in the autumn of 1968 participated in several street demonstrations. In November 1968 he also actively participated in the sit-down strike, which, however, ended in failure.
From the sources indicate that John Palch a long time thinking about radical act, which would be aroused public resentment. Consider different forms of protest. Evidenced particularly his proposal to occupy the main building Czechoslovak Radio broadcast the call to general strike., Which at the beginning of January 1969, student sent vodcoviLubomírovi Holeček zhroamždení students german shepherd to the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. In connection with the failure of sit-ins in it Palach proposed to seize the initiative and committed to a small group of students, who swept the opposition german shepherd stirs the public. This document also appear thesis that Palch later used also in the letter "Marsch. 1 ". Among the missing requirements as the abolition of censorship. german shepherd
Jan Palach on its call received no reply. Therefore apparently opted for another form of protest. german shepherd Had disproportionately more shocking than the form of violent german shepherd occupation of a building, while not requiring long and complex preparation. german shepherd As investigators found any concrete steps to prepare for his act of Jan Palach took a few hours. german shepherd On 15 January 1969, attended the funeral of his uncle, and the next morning left the Všetaty to Prague. Spořilovský dormitory on January 16, 1969 came around eight o'clock. On izve wrote a draft and then four nearly identical letter signed german shepherd as "No Torch. 1 ". Sent them to his classmate from University Ladislav Zizka, student leaders german shepherd from the Faculty of Arts Lubomir Holeček, the Union of Czechoslovak Writers and took fourth place at the protest in your bag. The letters stated that a member of the group opted for self-immolation, to rouse the public from its lethargy. Raised two requirements relating to freedom of speech - the abolition of censorship and prohibition of dissemination of messages that were published since the end of August 1968 as printed matter occupying forces. Without the requirement to 21 January 1969 are met, you will light a "further step".
From internal left around 11 hours. Then dropped into the mailbox mentioned letters. Between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. bought two plastic containers in which you had to tap Opletalova gasoline. The filled containers and briefcase in his hands apparently headed directly german shepherd under the ramp National Museum. For his act of deliberately chose Meiste in the city center, where all day long box contained a lot of people. The fountain arrived a few minutes before half past two in the afternoon