site.btaToday's Observances: May 18-19

May 18

The world:

- International Museum Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1877: Samara Flag is handed to 3rd Battalion of Bulgarian Volunteer Corps in Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 at ceremony near Ploiesti, Romania. Flag is present during all battles engaging Bulgarian volunteers and is never captured by enemy.

1903: Black Sea Port of Burgas is inaugurated and opens to merchant shipping in presence of Prince Ferdinand I.

1906: Black Sea Port of Varna is inaugurated in presence of Prince Ferdinand I, government ministers and foreign diplomats.

1909: King Ferdinand I institutes Order of St Cyril and St Methodius as highest Bulgarian honour in follow-up to declaration of country's independence.

1971: Second Constitution of People's Republic of Bulgaria (aka "Zhivkov Constitution"), adopted by referendum, is proclaimed at ceremonial sitting of National Assembly (amended five times in 1990, superseded by Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria, July 13, 1991).

1982: Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Unit 4 is commissioned (shut down for decommissioning on December 31, 2006 by Council of Ministers decision as condition for Bulgaria's accession to EU).

2004: Bulgarian mountaineer Petko Totev climbs Mt Everest (8,848 m).

May 19

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1876: Dryanovo Monastery is captured (old style date: May 7) by Ottoman troops after nine days of heroic resistance during the April Uprising.

1934: A coup d'etat is carried out by the Zveno military organization and the Military Union.

1969: Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Luxembourg are promoted to the level of embassies. First established on December 16, 1956 at the level of legations.

1989: The first demonstration against the totalitarian regime and the Bulgarian Communist Party is held in the southern town of Djebel. The people protest against the forcible assimilation of ethnic Turks, known as the Regeneration Process.

1999: The 38th National Assembly passes the Protection and Development of Culture Act.

2004: Bulgarian Petko Totev reaches Mount Everest.

2008: A Bulgarian-US Cultural Centre for People with Disabilities is unveiled in Sofia by the then US Ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle and his wife Jocelyn Greene.