Independence Day is celebrated on September 22.
This day commemorates the independence of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.
The Ottoman Turks first invaded the territory of Bulgaria in 1354. By 1396, the entire country had been occupied by the Ottomans.
In 1878, Bulgaria was granted autonomy as the Principality of Bulgaria.
Thirty years later, Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria proclaimed the country's independence in the old capital of Tarnovo.
Bulgarians started to celebrate Independence Day right after the independence was proclaimed.
In 1944 Bulgaria was invaded by the Soviet Union, and the celebration was abolished.
The parliament of Bulgaria reinstated Bulgarian Independence Day in 1998, and the holiday has been observed every year ever since.
