site.btaToday's Observances: September 8

The world:

- National Day of Andorra: Our Lady of Meritxell Day (1278).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1885: Prince Alexander I of Battenberg signs manifesto declaring his acceptance of unification of Principality of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia.

1944: Bulgaria declares war on Germany as Soviet troops enter country during World War II.

1946: In referendum on abolition of monarchy, 92.72 per cent vote in favour of people's republic, 4.37 per cent vote in favour of monarchy.

1964: Song Mila Rodino (Dear Motherland) is approved as Bulgaria's national anthem by National Assembly Presidium Decree No. 534 (gazetted on same day). Written by Tsvetan Radoslavov (1885). Tune revised by Dobri Hristov (1905), Philip Koutev and Alexander Raichev (1964). Lyrics revised by Dimiter Metodiev and Georgi Djagarov (1964). Current version (first stanza and chorus) codified by new Constitution (Article 168), effective July 13, 1991.

1991: Kozloduy N-Plant's 1,000 MW B-320 Unit 6 is commissioned.