site.btaToday's Observances: December 21

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1923: Macedonian Research Institute is set up in Sofia. Operates until 1947, restored in May 1990.

1926: Bulgarian Government contracts GBP 2.4 million and USD 4.5 million refugee land settlement loan under League of Nations auspices with group of British, Italian, Swiss, Dutch and US banks (also known as 'the Refugee Loan').

1971: Il-18 airliner with 73 passengers on board crashes during takeoff from Sofia Airport, killing six crew and 24 passengers.

1993: Diplomatic relations established with North Macedonia.

1996: Zhan Videnov resigns as prime minister.

2001: Seven children aged between 10 and 15 die in stampede as some 3,000 teenagers queue at entrance to Indigo Disco in Sofia.

2001: National Assembly passes Personal Data Protection Act.

2006: Bulgaria opens Consulate General in Nis, Serbia.