Ottoman period in the history of Bulgaria

In the annals of Bulgarian history, few events stand as tall as the Unification of 1885. This momentous occasion marked a critical step towards realizing the national ideal of a united Bulgaria, bringing together the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in defiance of great power politics and Ottoman rule.

Historical Context

With restoration efforts now complete in the historic Rumeli Han, nestled on Istanbul's iconic İstiklal Street, visitors are flocking to explore the mysterious tunnel that has come to light beneath its neoclassical facade.

On November 1, Bulgarians celebrate the National Awakening Day. On this day, tribute is paid to the work of writers, educators, fighters for national liberation, who preserved the spiritual values of the nation and its morals over the centuries.

Today marks 138 years since the declaration of independence of Eastern Rumelia from the Ottoman Empire and its union with the Principality of Bulgaria. In major cities throughout the country, the Bulgarian flag will be solemnly raised, military rituals will be performed and wreaths will be laid in memory of the dead.

Bulgaria marks 120 years since the death of the great Bulgarian revolutionary Gotse Delchev. His memory will be honored with various events in the country. President Rumen Radev will participate in the celebrations in the town of Gotse Delchev.

On this day in Plovdiv, the Unification of Bulgaria was announced, the dedication of Zahari Stoyanov was read, the flag of Eastern Rumelia was taken down and the Bulgarian flag was raised.

Bulgarians celebrate 145 years of the Shipka epic.

The epic battles were fought at the highest points of the Shipchen Pass - St. Nicholas Peak (today Stoletov Peak), Shipka Peak and Orlovo Gnezdo from August 21 to 23, 1877 between Suleiman Pasha's troops and the Russian-Bulgarian detachment of Gen. N. G. Stoletov.

Turkish historians have lashed out at the world's richest man Elon Musk for his "1453 Constantinople" tweet, hinting that Istanbul was conquered, not with a military victory, but due to an open gate forgotten by Byzantine soldiers.

"Today we bow our heads to the feat of the thousands of Bulgarians with big hearts and dreams of freedom, who 146 years ago - in the glorious April of 1876, rebelled against the Ottoman rule."

This was written by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov on Facebook on the occasion of the anniversary of the April Uprising.

On April 20, 1876, the April Uprising broke out in Koprivshtitsa, thanks to which Bulgaria appeared on the map of Europe.

The decision to launch the uprising was taken by the Giurgiu Revolutionary Committee, the Bulgarian lands were divided into 5 revolutionary districts - the first Tarnovo, the second Sliven, the third Vratsa, the fourth Plovdiv and the fifth Sofia.