site.btaObservances: December 7-8

December 7

The world:

- International Civil Aviation Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1806: The first modern Bulgarian book, "Nedelnik" by Sophronius of Vratsa, is published.

1885: Bulgaria and Serbia sign a ceasefire after a brief war between them in November of that year.

1986: An earthquake measuring between 5.7 and 6.2 points on the Richter scale hits Strazhitsa, North Central Bulgaria, killing three people and injuring another 30. Eighty per cent of the area's residential buildings are destroyed.

1989: The Union of Democratic Forces is set up.

1992: Diplomatic relations are established with Paraguay.

2006: In the area of the Yantra River Bridge near Byala, a public transport bus is hit by a truck and falls into the river. 18 people are killed, another 11 are injured.

December 8

Bulgaria:

- University Students Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1874: Maiden issue of Zname newspaper comes out in Bucharest. Edited by Bulgarian revolutionary and poet Hristo Botev. Folds on September 14, 1875.

1888: Parliament passes law establishing Higher School of Sofia (today's Sofia University), Bulgaria's oldest higher educational establishment.

1949: Panagyurishte Gold Treasure is discovered by brothers Pavel, Mihail and Petko Deikov near Panagyurishte (South Central Bulgaria). Nine-vessel Thracian ritual set dates from 4th-3rd centuries BC and weighs 6.164 kg in total. All objects are richly and skillfully decorated.

2003: Bulgarian National Bank puts into circulation 100-lev banknote.

2003: Bulgarian-Spanish Business Council established with Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

2004: Balkan Fashion Chamber is set up.

2005: Bulgarian-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce is established.