The Czech Republic has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the 6th century. It was originally part of the Great Moravian Empire, which was established in 830 AD. In the 10th century, the Czechs were part of the Bohemian Kingdom, which was one of the most powerful states in Central Europe at the time. In the 13th century, the Czechs were part of the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy. During this period, the Czechs experienced a period of religious freedom and cultural development. In the 19th century, the Czechs were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was dissolved after World War I. In 1918, the Czechs and Slovaks declared independence, creating the Czechoslovak Republic. The country was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II and then by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In 1993, the Czech Republic was established after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Today, the Czech Republic is a stable democracy and a member of the European Union.