site.btaToday's Observances: June 19

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1879: Diplomatic relations established with Turkey.

1984: Politburo of Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP) Central Committee adopts decision "On Further Consolidation and Enlistment of Bulgarian Turks for the Cause of Socialism, for the BCP Policy," launching so-called "Regeneration Process" (internationally condemned campaign to assimilate country's Muslim minority by forcing 720,000-820,000 ethnic Turks and 180,000-250,000 Muslim Roma to adopt Slavic names).

1987: National Earth and Man Museum is inaugurated in Sofia.

2002: Sweden opens Honorary Consulate in Varna.

2002: Parliament resolves that Bulgaria will contribute to operation of International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1413 (2002), acting under Turkish command.

2005: Prime Ministers Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha of Bulgaria and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey inaugurate border crossing between Lessovo and Hamzabeyli.

2014: Thirteen people are killed and dozens are injured after torrential rain floods low-lying parts of Asparouhovo Quarter of Varna (on Black Sea).