site.btaToday's Observances: December 4

Bulgaria: Church marks Day of St Barbara.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1877: Russian troops defeat 40,000-strong Turkish army near Elena after 20-day offensive during Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878).

1899: Slav Society is founded.

1908: Modern Theatre, Bulgaria's first cinema, opens in Sofia.

1947: Fifth Grand National Assembly (1946-1949) adopts the Constitution of People's Republic of Bulgaria, known as the "Dimitrov Constitution".

1948: Diplomatic relations are established with Israel at legation level. Severed June 10, 1967, restored at embassy level May 3, 1990.

1997: Bulgaria signs Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction.

2005: Bulgaria becomes member of Green Cross International.