site.btaObservances: October 25-26

October 25

Bulgaria:

- Day of Agricultural Scientists.

The world:

- International Day of Women's Struggle for Peace;

- European Day of Civil Justice.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1930: Bulgarian King Boris III marries Princess Giovanna of Savoy, daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, in Catholic wedding in Assisi, Italy.

1966: Unit One of Maritsa East 2 Thermal Power Plant (Bulgaria's largest TPP) goes into operation at Kovachevo Village (Southeastern Bulgaria).

1977: Vertical 6, a space probe equipped with Bulgarian-made devices, is launched into orbit.

2002: Dimitar Peshev House Museum opens in Kyustendil (Southwestern Bulgaria). As Co-chair of 24th National Assembly, Peshev contributed to rescue of Bulgarian Jews from Holocaust in March 1943.

October 26

Bulgaria:

- The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of St Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer.

- Professional holiday of Bulgarian builders.

The world:

- Austrian National Day: commemorates the State Treaty which restored national sovereignty in 1955.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1890: First Bulgarian village cooperative set up in Mirkovo village, Sofia Municipality.

1954: State Academy of Music, established by royal decree in 1921, becomes independent higher education institution, named Bulgarian State Conservatory.

1957: Polish Reading Room in Sofia (established July 22, 1949) is renamed Polish Cultural and Information Centre. Called Polish Institute since 1994.

1989: Rally of EcoGlasnost activists is dispersed by militia in downtown Sofia. The rally, which collected signatures to halt two hydro-power projects, is one of the events leading to the start of the November 10, 1989 downfall of the socialist system in Bulgaria and the beginning of democratic changes.