site.btaObservances: May 23-24

May 23

Bulgaria:

Day of National Intelligence Service.

The world:

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1879: Bulgarian National Bank is formally inaugurated in Sofia.

1880: Parliament passes first Act on Administrative Division of the Territory of the Principality of Bulgaria.

2002: Pope John Paul II starts four-day official visit and apostolic journey in Bulgaria. This is the first visit by a head of the Roman Catholic Church to this country.

May 24

Bulgaria:

- Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, and of Slavic Literature. A public holiday.

The world: 

- National Day of Eritrea: Independence Day (1993).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1851: First celebration of the Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slav Letters, commemorating the brothers Cyril and Methodius who invented the Slav alphabet. Currently Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, and of Slavic Literature.

1914: PFC Levski is established in Sofia.

1975: A monument to Sts Cyril and Methodius is unveiled in front of Sofia's National Library.