site.btaToday's Observances: August 18

- Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks dormition of St John the Miracle Worker of Rila (876-946).

Bulgaria:

- Miners' Day (mineworkers honour their patron saint, St John of Rila; decreed by Prince Ferdinand I in 1903, restored by Council of Ministers in 1994).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1888: Rousse-Varna Railway becomes Bulgarian property.

1890: Bulgarian Hunting and Fishing Union established.

1964: Diplomatic relations with Iran, established on November 15, 1897, at diplomatic agency level, are promoted to embassy level.

1987: Bulgaria is divided into nine administrative regions.

1992: Diplomatic relations are established with Slovenia.

2000: Bulgarian-Romanian Association of Green Tourism is established.