site.btaObservances: August 24 - 25

August 24

The world:

- National Day of Ukraine: Independence Day (1991).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1915: Bulgaria and Turkiye sign a border rectification protocol. Turkiye cedes about 2,500 sq km on the western bank of the Maritsa River along which a railway runs to Dedeagac, Bulgaria's only Aegean port (now Alexandroupolis, Greece).

1945: Diplomatic relations with Poland are restored (first established in 1918 at legation level and severed in 1941). Upgraded to embassy level in 1948.

1954: Diplomatic relations established with Syria at legation level.

1974: Diplomatic relations established with Palestine by opening a PLO representation in Sofia.

August 25

The world:

- National Day of Uruguay: Independence Day (1825).

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1886: Prince Alexander I of Battenberg abdicates from the Bulgarian throne for second time.

1961: Universiade Sports Hall is inaugurated in Sofia. Built by some 20,000 student volunteers to host 2nd Summer Universiade in 1961.

1979: Banner of Peace Monument is unveiled in Sofia during 1st Banner of Peace International Children's Assembly (August 16-25, 1979). Renamed Bells Monument in 1990.

1991: Sixty agricultural producers establish Bulgaria's country's first Union of Tenant Farmers in Balkantsi Village near Dobrich (Northeastern Bulgaria).

2004: In Tulcea, Bulgaria and Romania sign agreement on use of 115.7 km of 300 kV cross-border transmission lines between Tantareni and Kozloduy for exchange of electricity in case of emergency.

2005: Council on European Integration holds its first meeting in Sofia.

2006: National Assembly amends and supplements Political Parties Act, obliging political parties to submit their certified financial statements to Bulgarian National Audit Office annually by March 31.