site.btaToday's Observances: February 16

The world:

- National Day of Lithuania (Lithuania State Reestablishment Day, 1918).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1872: Metropolitan Antim of Vidin elected first Bulgarian Exarch by Convention of Clergy in Constantinople.

1887: Pro-Russian military officers organize mutinies in Silistra and later, on February 19, in Ruse, against anti-Russian policy of Regent Stefan Stambolov. Three mutiny leaders are sentenced to death and executed on February 22, 1887.

1898: BTA releases its first news bulletin, hand-written by Telegraph Agency's Director, Oskar Iskander. The four-page bulletin has seven news items: on stock and commodity exchange prices, events in Balkans and health of Princess Clementine of Orleans, Prince Ferdinand I's mother. BTA celebrates its birthday on February 16.

2005: National Assembly passes Criminal Assets Forfeiture Act.