site.btaObservances: July 29

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1014: Byzantine troops defeat the Bulgarian army at the Battle of Belassitsa. By order of Emperor Basil II, some 15,000 Bulgarian soldiers are blinded; one in every 100 men is left with one eye to lead the rest to Tsar Samuel.

1967: A Guild of Arts and Crafts Masters is established in Sofia.

1992: The Bulgarian Association of Travel Agents (BATA) is established.

1998: The 38th National Assembly adopts the Grain Storage and Grain Trade Act, whereby a National Grain Service is set up (since June 12, 2003: National Grain and Feed Service under the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry).

2005: A Balkan Cultural Centre is set up on the initiative of the Balkanica Foundation, which presents a literary award to authors from countries in the region.

2011: The Arena Armeets (today's Arena Sofia) multifunctional sports hall opens in Sofia.