site.btaObservances: July 24

On this date in Bulgarian history: 

1894: First Congress of Bulgarian Journalists and Writers is held in Sofia.

1962: Ropotamo Reserve (Eastern Bulgaria) is designated a national park on an area of 846.9 ha.

1972: International Botev Prize established in the field of literature. 

1974: First turbine of Unit 1 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant goes into operation. 

2001: Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha is elected Prime Minister.

2003: Mi-17 helicopter from the Krumovo Air Base crashes in the Betolovoto area near Razlog, killing four persons.

2007: Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, sentenced to death in Libya for an HIV conspiracy in Benghazi, are released from Judaida Prison in Tripoli and leave for Sofia. The return becomes possible after the death sentences are commuted to life imprisonment thanks to a massive EU-brokered diplomatic effort. Back in Bulgaria, the six are pardoned by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.

2007: Parliament adopts Judiciary Act.

2009: Business Cluster Association established in Varna.