site.btaObservances: July 25-26

July 25

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1878: First copy of Maritsa, Bulgaria's first nationwide newspaper after the Liberation from Ottoman rule, comes out in Plovdiv. Last copy comes out September 6, 1885.

1879: Diplomatic relations are established with Italy.

1926: FC Lokomotiv Plovdiv is established.

1960: Bulgaria is granted membership in the International Ice Hockey Federation.

1966: Sulza i Smyah New Drama Theatre is established in Sofia.

July 26

The world:

- National Day of Liberia: Independence Day (1847);

- National Day of The Maldives: Independence Day (1965).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

811: Bulgarian Khan Krum defeats Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I at Battle of Vurbitsa Pass.

1881: Gendarmerie is established as public order service in Principality of Bulgaria.

1909: Railway linking Radomir and Kyustendil (Southwestern Bulgaria) is inaugurated.    

1946: Bulgarian Parliament votes to hold referendum on abolition of monarchy and establishing people's republic.