site.btaObservances: May 17-18

May 17

The Orthodox Church marks the Feast Day of the Holy Martyrs of Batak.

Bulgaria:

- Day of Bulgarian Sport;

- Day of the city of Gabrovo.

The world:

- World Telecommunication Day;

- National Day of Norway. Constitution Day (1814);

- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1901: Bulgaria is divided into 12 provinces and 71 districts under the Administrative-territorial Division Act.

1913: The Balkan League (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro) and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of London ending the First Balkan War (1912-1913).

1914: Tram workers in Sofia go on strike, which paralyzes the entire public transportation.

1929: Tobacco workers in Haskovo go on strike, which turns into a national strike consisting of over 30,000 workers.

1956: Bulgaria joins the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

May 18

The world:

- International Museum Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1877: Samara Flag is handed to 3rd Battalion of Bulgarian Volunteer Corps in Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 at ceremony near Ploiesti, Romania. Flag is present during all battles engaging Bulgarian volunteers and is never captured by enemy.

1903: Black Sea Port of Burgas is inaugurated and opens to merchant shipping in presence of Prince Ferdinand I.

1906: Black Sea Port of Varna is inaugurated in presence of Prince Ferdinand I, government ministers and foreign diplomats.

1909: King Ferdinand I institutes Order of St Cyril and St Methodius as highest Bulgarian honour in follow-up to declaration of country's independence.

1971: Second Constitution of People's Republic of Bulgaria (aka "Zhivkov Constitution"), adopted by referendum, is proclaimed at ceremonial sitting of National Assembly (amended five times in 1990, superseded by Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria, July 13, 1991).

1982: Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Unit 4 is commissioned (shut down for decommissioning on December 31, 2006 by Council of Ministers decision as condition for Bulgaria's accession to EU).

2004: Bulgarian mountaineer Petko Totev climbs Mt Everest (8,848 m).