Sofia, September 22 – Bulgaria is commemorating 117 years of independence, a historic milestone that traces back to September 22, 1908, when Prince Ferdinand proclaimed Bulgaria an independent kingdom in the medieval city of Turnovo.
The day has been officially recognized as Bulgaria Independence Day since September 10, 1998, when the 38th National Assembly declared it a national holiday. Unlike many national independence movements marked by bloodshed, Bulgaria’s path to sovereignty was largely peaceful.
Historian Andrei Pantev described the proclamation as a “triumph of civilized wisdom,” highlighting the careful diplomatic and domestic strategies that led to the historic moment without a major conflict.
Bulgaria’s road to independence began in the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The preliminary Treaty of San Stefano on March 3, 1878, ended 482 years of Ottoman rule but only established Bulgaria as an autonomous tributary principality under Ottoman suzerainty.
The Treaty of Berlin, signed on July 1, 1878, reaffirmed this status, keeping Bulgaria formally under the Sultan while granting internal autonomy.
Over the following three decades, Bulgaria gradually asserted de facto independence by rejecting Ottoman-imposed taxes, concluding treaties independently, and conducting military actions without Ottoman approval.
A significant milestone was the union with Eastern Rumelia on September 6, 1885, consolidating Bulgarian territories and strengthening national sovereignty.
The moment for de jure independence arose in 1908, facilitated by favorable international conditions. The Young Turks’ coup d’état on July 11, 1908, and the diplomatic “Gueshoff incident” in Constantinople provided immediate pretexts for formal independence.
When Ivan Stefanov Gueshoff, the Bulgarian Diplomatic Agent, was excluded from the Sultan’s birthday reception, it highlighted Bulgaria’s subordinate status, prompting his recall.
A concurrent strike by Turkish railway workers in Southern Bulgaria further enabled the government to assert local control by employing Bulgarian workers.
Key diplomatic coordination also played a role. Prince Ferdinand met with Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph in Budapest on September 10, 1908, to secretly align their political objectives.
Austria-Hungary intended to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina, seeking to repudiate the Treaty of Berlin simultaneously. This alignment provided the Bulgarian leadership with a strategic backdrop for asserting full sovereignty.
On September 16, the Bulgarian government decided to proclaim independence, but Ferdinand postponed the announcement until his return from Austria.
Arriving in Rousse on September 20, the Prince finalized arrangements with his Cabinet and traveled by train to Turnovo. On the night of September 21, Prime Minister Alexander Malinov drafted the Manifesto of Independence at the Dve Mogili railway station.
The following day, September 22, 1908, at the historic church of Forty Holy Martyrs, Prince Ferdinand read the Manifesto to the Bulgarian people. The declaration paid tribute to the Russian liberators of 1878, acknowledged Bulgaria’s peaceful development over thirty years, and reaffirmed the nation’s aspirations for cultural and economic progress.
Ferdinand formally declared Bulgaria a united and independent kingdom, expressing hope for amicable relations with Turkey and recognition by the international community.
National Assembly Chairman Hristo Slaveikov addressed the Prince, requesting he assume the title of the first Bulgarian Tsar, which Ferdinand accepted with pride.
Later that day, the Manifesto was read again by Prime Minister Malinov atop Tsarevets Hill, a symbolic site of medieval Bulgarian sovereignty. The official 1909 version of the Manifesto, rendered by Art Deco painter Haralambi Tachev, remains preserved in the Central State Historical Archives.
Calligraphed in a style reminiscent of illuminated medieval manuscripts, the document features elaborate ornamentation, including laurel trees, lions, and landmark dates in Bulgarian history: 679, 1187, and 1908. It was signed by the King and all eight government ministers and stored in a silver cylinder within a Brazilian rosewood case.
The proclamation of independence sparked international reactions, notably from Turkey, but it avoided armed conflict. Austria-Hungary’s annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 24, 1908, coincided with Bulgaria’s independence, fueling the 1908-1909 Balkan Crisis.
In 1909, Bulgaria negotiated settlements with Turkey and Russia, ensuring recognition and financial arrangements that solidified its new status.
By early 1909, Bulgaria’s independence was formally acknowledged by Russia (February 5), Turkey (April 6, Protocol of Constantinople), Serbia and Montenegro (April 7), Britain, France, and Italy (April 10), Germany and Austria-Hungary (April 16), and the United States (March 24, 1910). The nation’s constitution was subsequently updated by the Fifth Grand National Assembly in 1911 to align with its sovereign status.
Bulgaria’s independence elevated its international standing and laid the foundation for future territorial and irredentist ambitions, setting the stage for involvement in the Balkan Wars and further integration into European diplomacy.
The peaceful and strategic nature of Bulgaria’s path to independence remains a source of national pride, celebrated annually on September 22.
Today, the centenary of Bulgaria’s independence is not only a reflection on a historic event but also a reminder of the nation’s enduring resilience and commitment to sovereignty.
The celebrations honor the vision of Prince Ferdinand and the Bulgarian people, recognizing the historical and cultural significance of a moment that shaped modern Bulgaria and its position in the Balkans.
From solemn ceremonies in Turnovo to educational programs highlighting the Russo-Turkish War and the Treaty of Berlin, Bulgaria Independence Day continues to foster national unity and pride, reminding citizens of the peaceful yet determined struggle for statehood and the enduring legacy of their forebears.
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