Liberation Day (Bulgaria)

The Liberation Day, officially known as the Day of Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Oppression (Bulgarian: Ден на Освобождението на България от османско иго, romanized: Den na Osvobozhdenieto na Bǎlgarya ot osmansko igo), is the national holiday of Bulgaria,[1] celebrated every 3 March.

The Treaty of San Stefano signed on 3 March 1878 committed the Ottoman Empire to accept the refoundation of the Bulgarian state that was conquered in the 14th century during the Bulgarian–Ottoman wars.

[3] 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.

Every year on 3 March, wreaths are laid at the Shipka Monument and military honors in memory of all soldiers who died fighting for the liberation of Bulgaria.

Residents around the country commonly lay flowers and notes at monuments to the fallen foreign troops who fought alongside their Bulgarian counterparts.