site.btaObservances: May 10-11

May 10

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1953: The Bulgarian Exarchate is proclaimed Bulgarian Patriarchate by the Third National Church Convention. Metropolitan Cyril of Plovdiv becomes Patriarch of Bulgaria.

1990: Federation of Consumers in Bulgaria established to protect rights and interests of all Bulgarian consumers.

2004: The International Congress Centre, part of the International Fair, opens in the southern city of Plovdiv.

2005: Parliament adopts Private Enforcement Agents Act, establishing a Chamber of Private Enforcement Agents.

2014: First passenger trade between the Danubian port city of Vidin and Calafat in Romania.

May 11:

The Church:

- Day of St Cyril and St Methodius, inventors of first version of Slavic alphabet in 9th century. Secular holiday marked May 24.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1851: St Cyril and St Methodius Day first celebrated in Plovdiv school named after the saintly brothers.

1872: Exarch Antim I reads proclamation of independence of Bulgarian Church.

1973: Diplomatic relations established with Colombia.

1990: Bulgaria applies for special invitee status in Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe.

2005: Parliament ratifies Bulgaria's Treaty of Accession to European Union.