Bulgaria

In the year 681, the First Bulgarian Empire was established. This followed the successful rebellion of the Bulgars under the leadership of Asparuh, who led them across the Danube and defeated the Byzantine forces. The peace treaty signed with the Byzantine Empire formally recognized the Bulgarian state. The new empire incorporated a variety of Slavic tribes and was characterized by a unique blend of Bulgar and Slavic cultures, laying the foundations for a new state that would become a major power in Southeast Europe.

The Christianization of Bulgaria began in 864 under the rule of Khan Boris I, who embraced Christianity and was baptized under the Christian name Michael. This pivotal moment led to the Christianization of the Bulgarian state and its people, integrating Bulgaria into the larger Christian world and significantly impacting its cultural and political development. The adoption of Christianity helped establish and stabilize the First Bulgarian Empire, and created strong cultural ties with Byzantium and other Christian nations in Europe.

The uprising of Asen and Peter in 1185 marks a significant event in Bulgarian history, which led to the reestablishment of the Bulgarian state. Taking advantage of the weakened Byzantine Empire, brothers Asen and Peter led a successful rebellion, establishing the Second Bulgarian Empire. The uprising began in response to high taxes and ecclesiastical oppression and was supported by various internal groups dissatisfied with Byzantine rule. The successful rebellion regained Bulgarian independence, allowing Bulgaria to once again become a regional power.

The Second Bulgarian Empire came to an end in 1396, marking the start of Ottoman rule over Bulgaria. The fall occurred at the Battle of Nicopolis, where the Ottoman Turks decisively defeated the combined forces of European crusaders and Bulgarian armies. This defeat led to the complete incorporation of Bulgarian lands into the Ottoman Empire, which lasted for nearly five centuries. The Ottoman occupation significantly influenced Bulgarian society, culture, and politics, leading to a decline in economic and military power.

The Treaty of San Stefano was signed on March 3, 1878, effectively ending the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) and liberating Bulgaria from nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule. The treaty proposed a large autonomous Bulgarian principality encompassing most of the ethnic Bulgarian territories. However, its terms were later revised by the Treaty of Berlin in July 1878, creating a smaller Bulgarian state. Despite its short duration, the Treaty of San Stefano is celebrated as a symbol of national liberation and is commemorated annually as Bulgaria's Liberation Day.

On October 5, 1908, Bulgaria proclaimed its full independence from the Ottoman Empire. The formal declaration was made by Prince Ferdinand, who assumed the title of Tsar (King) of the fully sovereign Kingdom of Bulgaria. This move was partially driven by the Young Turk Revolution of 1908 and the ensuing political instability within the Ottoman Empire. Bulgaria's independence marked the country's emergence as a fully autonomous state and enabled it to pursue independent foreign policies and national consolidation.

On September 9, 1944, a military coup d'état took place in Bulgaria, leading to the overthrow of the government amidst World War II. The coup was orchestrated by the Fatherland Front, a coalition of communists, agrarians, and socialists, and was heavily supported by the Soviet Union's Red Army, which had entered Bulgarian territory the day before. The successful coup led to the establishment of a pro-Soviet government, marking Bulgaria's transition into the Soviet sphere of influence. This event paved the way for the establishment of a communist government in Bulgaria, and significantly influenced the country's post-war development.

On November 10, 1989, Bulgaria's Communist regime began to collapse, marking the end of 45 years of communist rule. This event was part of a larger wave of anti-communist sentiment sweeping across Eastern Europe. The fall was triggered by mass protests and internal opposition within the Bulgarian Communist Party. The resignation of long-time leader Todor Zhivkov symbolized the regime's collapse, leading to democratic reforms and the reestablishment of a multi-party system. This pivotal change laid the groundwork for Bulgaria's transformation towards democracy and its eventual integration into the European Union.

On January 1, 2007, Bulgaria officially became a member of the European Union. This significant milestone followed years of political and economic reforms aimed at meeting the EU's accession criteria. Joining the EU represented a major step in Bulgaria's post-communist transition, offering the country economic and political stability, increased foreign investment, and access to the wider European market. It marked Bulgaria's integration into Western institutions after a long period as part of the Eastern Bloc, reshaping its international relations and economic policies for the future.