site.btaObservances: February 16

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 the Agency's Director, Oskar Iskender. 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.

2013: National Association of Private Hospitals established to ensure patients' right to access high-quality, modern medical care and guarantee their right to choose a hospital for inpatient care, protecting the rights of private hospitals, etc.

2018: President Rumen Radev arrives in Skopje on a two-day official visit at the invitation of his counterpart of North Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov. First official visit of this kind since 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation.

2023: BTA marks its 125th anniversary with a concert by the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Sofia's Bulgaria Hall. Vice President Iliana Iotova presents BTA Director General Kiril Valchev with the Vice President's honorary insignia in recognition of BTA's exceptional contribution to the development of Bulgarian journalism and the defence of truth and freedom of speech.