site.btaObservances: September 20-22

September 20:

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1885: Establishment of Bulgarian Red Cross endorsed by Princely Decree.

1916: Writer Ivan Vazov is nominated for 1917 Nobel Prize.

1923: The Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party decides to start anti-fascist uprising on September 22.

1948: The Srebarna Nature Reserve is proclaimed. It is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

1956: Diplomatic relations established with Indonesia.

1999: Bulgaria joins the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Area. 

September 21

The world:

- International Day of Peace. Established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2001;

- National Day of Armenia. Independence Day (1991);

- National Day of Malta. Independence Day (1964);

- National Day of Belize. Independence Day (1981);

- World Alzheimer's Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1378: Tsar Ivan Shishman issues an endowment diploma (the so-called chrysovul), which grants royal status to the Rila Monastery, and entrusts to it 19 villages, meadows, forests. The diploma, first published in 1845, confirms the boundaries of the monastery estates and grants privileges to the monastery. 

1933: Leipzig trial against Georgi Dimitrov, Vassil Tanev and Blagoi Popov begins. They are charged with setting fire to the Reichstag on February 27. Acquitted due to insufficient evidence on December 23.

1998: Bulgaria signs European Social Charter in Strasbourg.

September 22

Bulgaria:

- Independence Day. In 1908 Bulgaria becomes an independent State ruled by King Ferdinand. Declared official holiday on September 10, 1998.

The world:

- Mali National Day: Independence Day (1960).

- World Car Free Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1912: Military convention signed between Bulgaria and Greece on eve of First Balkan War.

1915: Diplomatic relations with France are severed. Restored August 27, 1920.

1923: 43rd government of Bulgaria is formed with Alexander Tsankov as prime minister. It declares martial law.

1973: Diplomatic relations with Chile are severed. Restored April 6, 1990.

1981: Monument to the Unknown Soldier unveiled in Sofia. 

1996: Future for Bulgaria foundation is established.