The Death Anniversary of Milan Rastislav Štefánik is observed in Slovakia every May 4. This official remembrance day honors Štefánik, a prominent member of the Czechoslovak National Council, who played a significant role in the fight for Czechoslovak independence during World War I. Born on July 21, 1880, in the Kingdom of Hungary, he graduated from Charles University in Prague and later worked at the Paris Observatory. During the war, he served as an aviator in the French army, believing that defeating Austria-Hungary and Germany would lead to independence for Czechs and Slovaks. In 1915, he co-founded the Czechoslovak National Council and organized Czechoslovak legions to combat enemy forces. Štefánik tragically died in a plane crash on May 4, 1919, shortly after Czechoslovakia declared independence, and the cause of the crash remains disputed. The day serves as a solemn reminder of his contributions and sacrifices for the nation.