site.btaObservances: December 21-22

December 21

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1923: Macedonian Research Institute is set up in Sofia. Operates until 1947, restored in May 1990.

1926: Bulgarian Government contracts GBP 2.4 million and USD 4.5 million refugee land settlement loan under League of Nations auspices with group of British, Italian, Swiss, Dutch and US banks (also known as 'the Refugee Loan').

1971: Il-18 airliner with 73 passengers on board crashes during takeoff from Sofia Airport, killing six crew and 24 passengers.

1993: Diplomatic relations established with North Macedonia.

1996: Zhan Videnov resigns as prime minister.

2001: Seven children aged between 10 and 15 die in stampede as some 3,000 teenagers queue at entrance to Indigo Disco in Sofia.

2001: National Assembly passes Personal Data Protection Act.

2006: Bulgaria opens Consulate General in Nis, Serbia.

2010: The last Bulgarian submarine Slava was officially decommissioned from the Bulgarian Navy. 

December 22

The Orthodox Church marks the feast day of Great Martyr Anastasia the Roman.

Bulgaria:

- Border Police Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1887: Bulgaria's first Border Guard Act is gazetted.

1901: Stoyan Danev forms 23rd Government of Principality of Bulgaria (in office until November 2, 1902).

1947: A People's Youth Union is set up.

1954: Diplomatic relations established with India at legation level (promoted to embassy level on March 26, 1961).

1990: 7th Grand National Assembly adopts resolution expressing Bulgaria's desire to join European Communities and proposing to executive to take steps to this end.

2011: The Journal of the European Union published a decision regarding the registration of Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk, the first Bulgarian geographical indication in Europe.