Macedonia Independence Day Date: September 8
Independence Day is a public holiday in Macedonia
The Independence touched the country of Macedonia on 8th September, 1991 when it freed itself from the hands of the Yugoslavia. For Macedonian, it is a great day to remember by the citizens of the country as the day gives them the assurance of freedom. Macedonian Independence Day is also celebrated as the National Day of the country, on this day all the people take pride and with a positive attitude move forward to overcome all challenges.
History of Macedonia Independence Day
The name “Macedonia” is the oldest existing name of a country on the continent of Europe. The history of Macedonia gives us an over view from the time when that old European civilization flourished in Macedonia between 7000 and 3500 BC to the time of the Macedonian partition till they got their independence.
On 8th September, 1991 a referendum was held establishing its independence from Yugoslavia, under the name of the Republic of Macedonia. Few minor changes to its border with Yugoslavia were agreed upon to resolve problems of the demarcation line between the two countries. In the Kosovo War in 1999 some 360,000 ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo took refuge in the country, and later fought for the independence for the Albanian-populated areas of the Republic. Finally with NATO’s intervention peace was restored and the government agreed to devolve greater political power and cultural recognition to the Albanian minority with the Albanians recognized all Macedonian institutions.
The country was officially recognized as a European Union candidate state in 2005, under the reference “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. On 8th September, 1991 over 95.5% of the citizens voted for independence of the Republic Macedonia. The people’s will for an independent state was confirmed with the declaration of the referendum on September 18, 1991 at the Macedonian Parliament. Finally on 25th September, 1991 the declaration was adopted for Independence at the first multi-party Macedonian Parliament.
Next the constitution of Macedonia was adopted on 17th November, 1991. This phase of Macedonian history is referred to as the ‘Partitioned Macedonia’, with the wider region of Macedonia getting divided between the Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia following the two Balkan wars of 1912 and 1913 and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. The territory of the present-day Republic of Macedonia had no administrative autonomy and was then named ‘Južna Srbija’ (Southern Serbia) or ‘Stara Srbija’ (Old Serbia).
Macedonia Independence Day Customs and Activities
The Macedonian people will celebrate their 15th Independence Day coming September 2008. The first time the people gathered at Macedonia Square was to celebrate the successful referendum at which the Macedonian citizens voted for independent and sovereign state. Since then the place holds important significance for the people. The people with their diverse, dynamic and creative mind celebrate this day with lots of funfair and pleasure. Besides all, on this day Macedonian people Come and eat some ethnic Macedonian food, attend several cultural and historic displays, meet other fellow Macedonians and above all have great time.
