What is Sokol:
The SOKOL is Czech word for "falcon". The Sokol (Falcon) organization is the most famous Czech sports group.

The Sokol played a key role in the national resistance to the Austrian Empire and the Nazi occupation. In America the SOKOL is known as a great organization for physical training in gymnastics and other athletics.  Sokol was founded by Miroslav Tyrs and Jindrich Fugner in 1862 as the first physical education organization in the Austro–Hungarian empire at a time of political freedom in the 1860´s. Many significant Czech patriots took part in the foundation of The Prague Gymnastic Association (renamed Prague Sokol).
The foundation of the unit in Prague took place on February 16th, 1862. Eight other units were founded in Bohemia and Moravia in the same year. In 1968, struggles for Sokol revival were killed by normalization and so after 42 years of hibernation, Sokol was restored for the fourth time in 1990. The beginnings of new era of Sokol are not easy. Sokol must fight for the recovery of its gymnasiums, sports grounds and other property. Also, Sokol faces generation problems. Today, the CSO unites almost 1,100 units and 190,000 members. Almost half of the members attend sporting classes, which means that there are also many young people. More and more young people also become Sokol functionaries.  
Soon after it was founded colorful gymnastics rallies known as Slets were held regularly in Prague until the German occupation in 1938. Sokol fulfilled its patriotic role during the World War I. When Czechoslovak legions were founded and during the days of the revolution in October 1918, Sokol members helped to keep peace in towns. Sokols were often called Czech national army. Sokol was almost liquidated three times. Firstly, Sokol was banned during the World War I., in 1915. Secondly, it happened during the Nazi occupation of Czech lands and finally, Sokol was banned by the communist Regime after its last Slet in 1948. In 1968, struggles for Sokol revival were killed by normalization and so after 42 years of hibernation, Sokol was restored for the fourth time in 1990.