In 1928 the Czechoslovakian government established Podkarpatska Rus as a province and it became autonomous on October 11, 1938. Under President Augustin Voloshyn, Carpatho-Ukraine declared its independence on March 15, 1939. This was when Hitler took Prague, and he simultaneously approved the Hungarian takeover of Carpatho-Ukraine and the cities of Uzhhorod and Mukachevo. This "Republic for a Day" was quickly invaded by a powerful Hungarian Army which decimated the small under-equipped army defending Carpatho-Ukraine.