Day of Liberation from the Ottoman Oppression
March 3, Sunday
The Liberation Day, officially known as the Day of Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Oppression, is the national holiday of Bulgaria.
It commemorates the Liberation of Bulgaria during the events of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) that led to the re-establishment of Bulgarian statehood. The Treaty of San Stefano signed on 3 March 1878 envisaged the Ottoman Empire to accept the refoundation of the Bulgarian state that was conquered in 14th century during the Bulgarian–Ottoman wars. It was celebrated for the first time on 19 February 1880 as the Day of Emperor Alexander II's Ascension and the Conclusion of the San Stefano Peace Treaty. It was officially designated as Liberation Day on its 10th anniversary in 1888 by the Principality of Bulgaria. It was only in 1978 when it started to be celebrated on a national scale. It became an official holiday by decree 236 of the Chairman of the State Council on 27 February 1990, coming into effect on 5 March.