site.btaObservances: July 19-20

July 19:

Bulgaria:

- Diplomatic Service Day (since 1999).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1880: First Bulgarian medal, "For the Liberation of 1877-1878", is instituted. It is conferred on all members of the Bulgarian Volunteer Corps who fought in the Russo-Turkish War battles of Stara Zagora, Shipka and Sheinovo.

1907: First forensic science laboratory is set up as predecessor of the Research Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology (established March 11, 1968).

1974: Diplomatic relations are established with Togo.

2005: A plaque of friendship is put up at the meeting point of the borders of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkiye.

July 20

The Orthodox Church marks the feast day of the Glorious Prophet Elijah.

The world: 

- National Day of Colombia: Independence Day (1810).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

792: Khan Kardam defeats the Byzantine army at the frontier stronghold of Marcellae near today's Karnobat.

1878: The Bulgarian armed forces are set up by order of Prince Alexander Dondukov-Korsakov, head of the Russian administration in Bulgaria.

1963:  Bulgaria's second electric railway line - between Gorna Oryahovitsa and Rousse - goes into operation.

1975: In Edirne, State Council Chairman Todor Zhivkov meets with Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel. The cable system  connecting the power grids of Bulgaria and Turkey opens.

1990: The 7th Grand National Assembly imposes a moratorium on the death penalty until the issue of the ultimate punishment is resolved.

2007: The Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies  and Business Centres (BARDA) and the International Asset Bank sign an agreement to extend aid to small and mid-sized  enterprises and municipalities.

2011: Bulgaria recognizes the independence of South Sudan.