site.btaObservances: June 17

The world:

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought;

National Day of Iceland: Independence Day (1944).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1912: French Prime Minister Raymond Poincare vetoes large loan from French banks to Bulgaria.

1976: Cabinet of Prime Minister Stanko Todorov is formed.

1990: Diplomatic relations established with Oman.

1999: Constitutional Court holds first public meeting.

2000: National Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses is set up.

2001: Elections held for 39th National Assembly.

2004: National Assembly adopts Declaration in support of Bulgaria's accession to European Union on January 1, 2007.