site.btaToday's Observances: September 9-10

September 9

The world:

- NATO Day;

- National Day of North Korea: Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1880: Diplomatic relations are established with Greece at diplomatic agency level. Promoted to embassy level July 12, 1964.

1909: Sofia's Central Synagogue (third largest in Europe, largest in the Balkans) is inaugurated.

1944: The Communist-dominated Fatherland Front stages a coup d'etat as the Soviet Army marches into Bulgaria during World War II. The Konstantin Muraviev Cabinet is deposed.

1953: The Belene forced labour camp is shut down.

1972: Bulgarian Television starts broadcasting in colour.

1998: Bulgaria's accession to the Central European Free Trade Agreement is ratified.

September 10

The world: 

- National Day of Gibraltar. Commemorates first referendum of 1967, in which Gibraltarians choose to remain under British sovereignty.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1855: First telegram from Constantinople received in Shumen. Beginning of telegraph communications.

1944: Bulgaria joins anti-Hitler coalition of World War II.

1991: Diplomatic relations established with Lithuania.

1991: Diplomatic relations with Estonia and Latvia restored. First established in 1920 (Estonia) and 1922 (Latvia).

1992: World Bank opens Resident Mission in Sofia.

2003: Parliament ratifies UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, adopted 2001.