The 3^rd of March is the National holiday of Bulgaria. On this day 130 years ago the San Stefano peace contract was signed which put the end of five centuries of Ottoman domination. Then the Principality of Bulgaria is founded which is feudatory to the Ottoman Empire. This contract is the result of the Russian-Turkish liberation war from 1877-1878. There are some key moments in this war like the battles at Shipka peak and the besieging of the city of Pleven.

The defense of Shipka peak is one of the most important and heroic historical moments the Bulgarian people are proud of. The defenders’ task was not to allow the multiple Turkish army cross the passage. Notwithstanding the hard situation and the lack of any battle supplies the defenders used all means. They fought with stones and even the dead bodies of their associates for the defense of the passage.

Nowadays there is a national park - museum which consists of a big monument resembling a cut pyramid. Some reproductions of the battles as well as some of the guns used by the defenders are displayed there. Besides the world famous Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov writes the ode „The defenders of Shipka” in order to immortalize the heroic resistance.

Another important moment of this war is the besieging of Pleven city. This is one of the hardest and most continuous battles between Turks and Russians. The Turks remain in the city for more than five months besieged by the multiple Russian troops. After they cross the Danube river the Russian troops leave for liberating Pleven but before they reach it, the Ottomans have already conquered it. Fortunately the Ottoman commander is wounded and capitulates with his army. Nowadays there are some monuments connected with this memorable and bloody battle: The Pleven panorama  as well as the museum of Pordim city. The constant uprisings during the five centuries of Ottoman domination in our country prevented the Ottoman empire from conquering new territories throughout Europe.

This year Bulgaria celebrates 130 years since the Liberation from the Turkish domination. The National holiday is celebrated in a different way in the different places: in the morning prayers take place in churches and temples throughout the country, wreaths and flowers are brought on the monument of the Shipka peak, the monument of the unknown warrior and others that are connected with the event. In the evening in the Narodno Sabranie Square the whole political elite comes together, as well as many guests in order to celebrate this event with an official retreat.