The historic petition signed by cultural leaders demanding greater independence in 1980 was the "Charter 77." This manifesto emerged in Czechoslovakia and was initiated by a group of dissidents, including Václav Havel. Charter 77 called for compliance with human rights standards set forth in international agreements, particularly the Helsinki Accords. It highlighted the Communist government's violations of citizens' rights and sought to foster public discourse about freedom and democracy. The petition catalyzed a broader movement for political reform in Czechoslovakia, contributing to greater awareness and eventual changes in governance that led to the Velvet Revolution in 1989.