site.btaObservances: October 12-13

October 12

The world:

• National Day of Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Independence Day - from Spain, 1968);
• National Day of Spain (Day of Hispanicity: Columbus discovery of America, 1492);
• World Arthritis Day.

Bulgaria:

• Bulgarian Municipality Day;
• Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1869: Bulgarian Literary Society (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences since 1911) is founded in Braila, Romania.

1882: Bulgaria's first law on municipalities and city governance is gazetted.

1962: Diplomatic relations established with Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and Algeria.

1999: Contract is signed for sale of 58% stake in Neftochim oil refinery in Burgas to Russian oil giant Lukoil.

October 13

The world:

• UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction;
• European Road Safety Day.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1945: Plovdiv Philharmonic stages first concert. Set up in spring of 1945 by conductor Vladi Simeonov.

1991: Parliamentary and local elections held. Opposition Union of Democratic Forces, set up after November 10, 1989, wins for first time. 

1999: Fences along Bulgarian-Greek border are removed.

2000: Bulgaria joins European Environment Agency as full member.

2003: Intellectual Property Centre is unveiled with Sofia's University of National and World Economy, to operate as a branch of the World Intellectual Property Organization Worldwide Academy.

2006: Thracian Treasures from Bulgaria exhibition opens at Musee Jacquemart-Andre in Paris (on display until end-January 2007).