On this day, 81 years ago, August 29, 1944 (July 11, 1944 in the lunar calendar), the national uprising broke out in Slovakia. During World War II, Slovakia became a vassal state of Germany. The Communist Party of Slovakia led the people in an extensive anti-fascist struggle. In early August 1944, the Soviet Army advanced towards the border of Czechoslovakia and Slovakia. Inspired by the victory of the Soviet army, Slovakia held a national armed uprising on the 29th, which quickly swept across two-thirds of its territory. On September 1, the National Liberation Council of Slovakia announced that it would take over all power. Fascist Germany sent eight divisions to suppress it. The rebels suffered heavy losses and retreated into the mountains in late October to launch guerrilla warfare.