On September 22, 1908, in Veliko Tarnovo, Prince Ferdinand declared the independence of Bulgaria with a manifesto. This act effectively rejected the last vassal ties with the Ottoman Empire. The Principality of Bulgaria became an independent state headed by the crowned Tsar Ferdinand. The Sublime Porte, and then the Great Powers, officially recognized Bulgarian independence.
Independence Day was declared an official holiday by a decision of the National Assembly on September 10, 1998. For a long time, the significance of this event in modern history was not appreciated, but on this date in 1908, Bulgaria - one of the oldest in Europe - reappeared on the map of Europe after five centuries of slavery.
The conditions for the declaration of independence
of the young Bulgarian state at the beginning of the twentieth century were extremely favorable: in the summer of 1908, the Young Turk Revolution in the Ottoman Empire ended in success for the reformists. Austria-Hungary - one of the great powers that imposed the Treaty of Berlin, was preparing to annex two of the empire's provinces - Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e. to violate it.
Therefore, the Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand turned directly to Emperor Franz Joseph (they met in Vienna) to coordinate their actions. In the meantime, the Bulgarian authorities seized the eastern railways in Southern Bulgaria and this gave rise to "known" economic contradictions between Austria-Hungary and our country. It even briefly frightened Ferdinand, who was afraid to declare independence.
But the government had already decided that this would happen on September 22, 1908, in the church of “St. 40 Martyrs” in the old Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo - a symbolic act of continuation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 20. Two days later, in the church of “St. 40 Martyrs” Prince Ferdinand read the manifesto for the declaration of independence and a prayer service was held for the well-being of the Bulgarian state. After that, Prime Minister Malinov read the manifesto again on the historic Tsarevets hill in front of the gathered crowd of thousands.
The proclamation of independence was not only a great success for Bulgarian diplomacy, but also after it the vassal principality began to be called the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian ruler was now titled tsar.
Years before that, a new policy of rapprochement with Russia was needed. The beginning was laid by Ferdinand, who began
backstage contacts with Russian diplomacy.
On May 19, 1894, Stambolov was overthrown from power. A government was formed, headed by Dr. Konstantin Stoilov.
The prince achieved his international recognition through reconciliation with Russia. In connection with the funeral of Alexander III, a Bulgarian delegation, led by Metropolitan Clement, was solemnly received by the new Russian Emperor Nicholas II on July 4, 1895. One day earlier, Stefan Stambolov was beheaded in Sofia, marking the new political course of Bulgaria.
On February 2, 1896, the Crown Prince Boris Tarnovsky converted to Orthodoxy and Emperor Nicholas II became his godfather. Ferdinand now enjoyed official reception in all European capitals, receiving the highest orders.
As commander-in-chief of the army, the monarch undertook its modernization and armament and the creation of an elite officer corps.
The prince supported modernization in all areas - the construction of post offices, railways, stations, ports. He was a lover of cars, trains and airplanes, and built palaces, parks and gardens.
In his foreign policy, Ferdinand achieved not only reconciliation, but also rapprochement with Russia. In 1902, a secret military convention was concluded between the two countries.
The restrictions of the Treaty of Berlin, according to which Bulgaria was a vassal principality, prevented the ruler and the country from fully developing their capabilities. Therefore, Ferdinand accepted the idea of independence.
The delicate situation that arose after the violation of the Treaty of Berlin was successfully resolved.
First, the British Empire was won over,
which set the condition - to begin negotiations between the Bulgarian government and the Sublime Porte.
The negotiations began immediately, with the Bulgarian delegation led by Andrey Lyapchev. During these, the Sublime Porte demanded that Bulgaria pay a large tax. Then, in his capacity as Prime Minister, Malinov declared that independence could not be bought, and even went so far as to partially mobilize the Bulgarian army.
Russia did not want a military conflict in the Balkans and undertook to mediate in the negotiations. It agreed to forgive the Ottoman Empire's debt, which had remained since the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, in exchange for which the Sublime Porte refused to demand compensation from Bulgaria and recognized its independence. This officially took place on April 6, 1909, after which, for 10 days, the European powers recognized Bulgaria as a kingdom and an independent state.
The proclamation of independence is undoubtedly the highest point of the political self-awareness and self-determination of the Bulgarian nation in the years after the Liberation. From here on, the Kingdom of Bulgaria began to prepare the final annexation of the remaining territories under Ottoman rule.
Manifesto to the Bulgarian People
"By the will of the unforgettable Tsar Liberator, the great fraternal Russian people, assisted by our good neighbors, subjects of His Majesty the Romanian King, and by the heroic Bulgarians, on February 19, 1878, broke the chains of slavery that had for centuries bound Bulgaria, once so great and so glorious. From then until today, for thirty years, the Bulgarian People, unwaveringly faithful to the memory of the people's leaders for their freedom and inspired by their covenants, have worked tirelessly for the settlement of their beautiful land and created from it, under my leadership, that of the Bose, the late Prince Alexander, a country worthy of being an equal member in the family of civilized nations.
Always peace-loving, My People today long for their cultural and economic progress; in this direction, nothing should hinder Bulgaria; nothing should hinder its prosperity. Such is the desire of My People, such is its will - to be according to what it wants.
The Bulgarian people and their Head of State cannot but think alike and wish the same thing. De facto independent, My State is hindered in its normal and peaceful development by certain clauses, with the formal rupture of which the cooling that has occurred between Bulgaria and Turkey will also be removed.
My People and I sincerely rejoice in the political revival of Turkey. She and Bulgaria - free and completely independent of each other, will have all the conditions to create and strengthen their friendly ties and to devote themselves to peaceful internal development.
Inspired by this sacred cause and in order to respond to the state needs and the people's desire, with the blessing of the Almighty I proclaim Bulgaria, united on September 6, 1885, as an independent Bulgarian Kingdom and together with my people I deeply believe that this act of mine will find the approval of the Great Powers and the sympathy of the entire enlightened world.
Long live free and independent Bulgaria!
Long live the Bulgarian People!
Issued in the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo on September 22, 1908, the twenty-second year of my reign [Ferdinand] Minister-President and Minister of Public Buildings, Roads and Communications: [Al. Malinov] Minister of Foreign Affairs and Confessions: [St. Paprikov] Minister of Internal Affairs: [M. Takev] Minister of Public Education: [N. Mushanov] Minister of Finance: [Iv. Salabashev] Minister of Justice: [T. Krastev] Minister of War: [General D. Nikolaev] Minister of Trade and Agriculture: [A. Lyapchev]