site.btaToday's Observances: December 16-17

December 16

The world:

- National Day of Bahrain (accession of Amir Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, 1961);

- National Day of Kazakhstan. Independence Day (1991).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1920: Bulgaria joins League of Nations.

1953: New building of Sts Cyril and Methodius National Library in Sofia is inaugurated.

1956: Diplomatic relations established with Luxembourg.

1961: Diplomatic relations with Iran restored at legation level (established November 5, 1897 at diplomatic agency level, severed September 17, 1941, upgraded to embassy level August 18, 1964).

1995: Bulgaria formally submits application for accession to European Union.

December 17

The world:

- National Day of Bhutan.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1879: First document regulating armed forces of Principality of Bulgaria takes effect.

1920: Diplomatic relations with Romania are restored. First established July 21, 1879, suspended August 30, 1916.

1923: First Bulgarian national football team formed for 1924 Paris Olympics.

1963: Diplomatic relations with France promoted to embassy level. First established July 8, 1879, at diplomatic agency level.

1980: Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 3 goes into operation.

1981: 13 Centuries of Bulgaria National Endowment Fund is set up.

2008: Last Bulgarian contingent returns from participation in Multi-National Force - Iraq operation (2003-2008). Thirteen Bulgarian servicemen are killed during that period.