site.btaObservances: December 10

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1877: Ottoman troops led by Osman Pasha surrender at end of Siege of Plevna during Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878).
1878: Sofia Public Library (today's National Library) is set up.
1891: Sixth National Assembly adopts first Public Education Act after the liberation from Ottoman rule in 1878, thus creating legal basis for compulsory free education for all children, regardless of religion and nationality.
1998: Death penalty is abolished.
1999: European Council invites Bulgaria to start EU membership talks.