site.btaToday's Observances: April 23

The world:

- World Book and Copyright Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1940: A Civil Mobilization Act is adopted.

1941: Bulgaria's diplomatic relations with Greece are severed for the third time by decision of the Greek government. Relations are restored on May 22, 1954 and promoted to embassy level on July 12, 1964.

1963: A radio equipment plant is unveiled in Veliko Tarnovo.

1992: The Privatization Agency is set up under the authority of the Council of Ministers.

2002: Pope John Paul II decrees the beatification of Kamen Vichev, Iosafat Shishkov, and Pavel Dzhidzhov, Bulgarian Catholic priests executed by the communist government in 1952.

2006: The Holy Fire is brought from Jerusalem to Sofia for the first time. It is used in an Easter service at the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.