site.btaObservances: March 21-22

March 21

The world:

• National Day of Namibia (Independence Day, 1990);
• South Africa's Human Rights Day;
• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;
• International Day of Forests.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1916: Law introducing Gregorian Calendar is promulgated.

1961: Diplomatic relations with Brazil re-established at legation level (established November 17, 1934; suspended 1941-1945; promoted to embassy level May 11, 1974).

1973: Diplomatic relations established with Panama.

2001: Agreement on transit passage of NATO troops through Bulgarian territory signed at NATO Headquarters.

2001: EU Official Journal publishes Council Regulation (EC) No. 539/2001 of March 15, 2001, allowing Bulgarians visa-free stay in a Schengen country for up to 90 days every six months.

2008: Parliament ratifies Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community.

March 22

The world:

• World Water Day, designated by UN General Assembly in 1993.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1230: (Old Style March 9) Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II defeats and captures Thessalonica Emperor Theodore Komnenos Doukas in Battle of Klokotnitsa.

1882: Sofia's largest park, Borisova Gradina Park, established as tree nursery in pasture commons by resolution of Sofia City Municipal Council.

1897: First film screening in Sofia, at Plzen Pub on Dondukov Blvd.

1949: Balkans' first thermal power plant, Nadezhda TPP (now Sofia TPP), goes into trial operation in Sofia.  

1977: Diplomatic relations established with Jamaica.

2001: Electronic Document and Electronic Signature Act adopted. 

2010: Bulgaria joins Meteoalarm (European extreme weather alert system).