site.btaToday's Observances: December 20

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH marks the Feast Day of St Ignatius the God-Bearer.

The world:

- International Human Solidarity Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1880: The law establishing the Supreme Audit Office is gazetted.

1905: The Bulgarian Dentists Society is established (now Bulgarian Dental Association).

1943: Britain and the United States bomb Sofia during World War II, killing 64 people and destroying 113 buildings. Captain Dimiter Spisarevski performs the first aerial ramming attack in Bulgarian aviation history, downs a US bomber and dies.

1944: Following the September 9 communist takeover, the People's Court opens proceedings against wartime government ministers, regents, royal advisors and members of Parliament.

1979: Diplomatic relations are established with Rwanda.

2006: Parliament elects the first 18 MPs to become members of the European Parliament.