site.btaToday's Observances: August 8

The world:

- ASEAN Day (anniversary of signing in 1967 of Bangkok Declaration, founding document of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1909: Workers at Safety Matches Factory in Kostenets (Southwestern Bulgaria) go on 133-day strike, demanding higher wages, medical insurance and 8-hour working day.

1953: First Bulgarian steel is produced at Lenin Steel Mill in Pernik (Southwestern Bulgaria) at Lenin Steel Mill (present-day Stomana Steel S.A.

1988: Bulgaria establishes diplomatic relations with European Community.