History
The Bulgarian lands have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Before the arrival of the Bulgars in the seventh century, these lands were populated by Thracians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and others, who have left monuments of great value, enriching the world’s culture heritage. Bulgaria is a land brimming with history – and a perfect place for a cultural-historical tour.
Bulgaria is a crossroads of civilizations and cultures. Here is a timeline of some key events in Bulgarian history:
632-681
The Bulgars, led by Khan Asparukh, defeat the Byzantine army at the Danube and take over the territory south of the river. Asparukh founds the First Bulgarian Empire, with Pliska as its capital.
855
Cyril and Methodius create the first Slavonic alphabet, thus making the Bulgarian language the fourth literary language in Europe.
865
Tsar Boris I adopts Christianity as the state religion.
893
Tsar Simeon I ascends the throne and moves the capital of the Bulgarian Empire from Pliska to Preslav
1018
Bulgaria falls under Byzantine rule.
1185
The noblemen Petar and Asen lead a successful popular uprising against Byzantium, proclaiming the Second Bulgarian Empire in Veliko Tarnovo, henceforth its capital.
1218–1241
Tsar Ivan Asen II expands Bulgaria’s frontiers, winning territories from the Adriatic to the Aegean.
1393-1396
Bulgaria falls under Ottoman rule.
1762
The monk Paisii of Hilendar writes A Slav-Bulgarian History, marking the beginning of the National Revival (the Bulgarian Renaissance).
1878
Bulgaria liberated after five centuries of Ottoman rule by the Treaty of San Stefano (signed on 3 March), according to which it was to regain most of its former territories.
The Congress of Berlin (13 June – 13 July) takes away two-thirds of Bulgaria’s territorial gains, partitioning the rest into an independent Principality of Bulgaria, and Eastern Rumelia, an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire.
1879
Sofia becomes capital.
1885
6-th September: Unification of Eastern Rumelia with the Principality of Bulgaria.
1886
Ferdinand I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha elected Prince of Bulgaria.
1908
22 September: proclamation of independence of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Ferdinand becomes King (Tsar).
1912
First Balkan War: Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece against Turkey.
1913
Second Balkan War: Bulgaria is defeated by Serbia, Greece, Romania and Turkey, losing territory on all sides.
1915–1918
Bulgaria joins First World War on the side of the Central Powers.
1919
Peace Treaty of Neuilly: Bulgaria loses territory on all sides.
1918-1934
Political instability under King Boris III.
1941
Bulgaria joins World War II on the side of the Axis Powers.
1944
8 September: Soviet army crosses into Bulgaria.
9 September: coup d’etat, Fatherland Front government takes over.
1946
Proclamation of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, with a Soviet model of development.
1954
Todor Zhivkov is elected First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party.
1989
10 November: Todor Zhivkov ousted from power.
1990
First free elections in Bulgaria.
2002
Bulgaria invited to join the European Union.
2004
Bulgaria becomes a member of NATO.
2005
Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha signs the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria to the European Union.
2007
1 January: Bulgaria becomes a member of the European Union.
