site.btaToday's Observances: July 20-21

July 20

The Orthodox Church marks the feast day of the Glorious Prophet Elijah.

The world: 

- National Day of Colombia: Independence Day (1810).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

792: Khan Kardam defeats the Byzantine army at the frontier stronghold of Marcellae near today's Karnobat.

1878: The Bulgarian armed forces are set up by order of Prince Alexander Dondukov-Korsakov, head of the Russian administration in Bulgaria.

1963:  Bulgaria's second electric railway line - between Gorna Oryahovitsa and Rousse - goes into operation.

1975: In Edirne, State Council Chairman Todor Zhivkov meets with  Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel. The cable system  connecting the power grids of Bulgaria and Turkey opens.

1990: The 7th Grand National Assembly imposes a moratorium on the death penalty until the issue of the ultimate punishment is resolved.

2007: The Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies  and Business Centres (BARDA) and the International Asset Bank sign an agreement to extend aid to small and mid-sized  enterprises and municipalities.

2011: Bulgaria recognizes the independence of South Sudan.

July 21

The world:

- National Day of Belgium. Independence Day (1831).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1879: Diplomatic relations established with Romania at diplomatic agency level. Promoted to embassy level on February 18, 1948.

1967: Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Bulgaria and Mongolia signed in Ulan Bator.

1995: Sofia's Higher Medical Institute, established 1992, transformed into Medical University.