site.btaToday's Observances: August 15

The Orthodox Church marks the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

The world:

National Day of the Republic of the Congo: Independence Day;
National Day of Liechtenstein;
National Day of India: Independence Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

718: Near Constantinople, Khan Tervel's army defeats the Arab army, led by Maslama. The fight is of significant importance for stopping the Arab expansion to Europe.

1279: Tsar Ivailo's troops defeat the Byzantine army in the Eastern Balkan Range passes.

1856: One of the first Bulgarian stage plays, "Mihal Mishkoed" by Sava Dobroplodni, premieres in Shumen.

1892: Bulgaria's First Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition opens in Plovdiv.

1980: Diplomatic relations are established with the Seychelles.

2005: Coalition for Bulgaria, the Simeon II National Movement, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms sign a coalition government agreement.