Croatia Statehood Day is observed on June 25 every year in Croatia. It is a public holiday in the country. This auspicious day marks the liberation of the country from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. It is a work-free day in the country.
Background
The Croatian Parliament announced freedom once the Croatian Independence Referendum was approved on May 19, 1991. Approximately 94% of the electors supported the choice that laid down that –
- The Republic of Croatia as a self-governing and democratic nation, which ensures traditional sovereignty and all civil rights to Serbians and people from other races in Croatia, is able to create a confederacy of autonomous nations with other states.
- A proportionate number of people opted against the second choice that was provided and that necessitated:
- Croatia will remain a part of Yugoslavia as one national republic.
Statehood Day was previously celebrated on May 30, observing the day when the initial multipartite non-Communist Parliament was set up in 1990. There were a number of debates among the people concerning the date, which is more appropriate for Statehood Day. Nevertheless, June 25 ultimately succeeded as Statehood Day. At the same time, May 30 is celebrated as an insignificant holiday and it is not an off-work day.
This holiday should not be mixed up with the Independence Day of Croatia, which is observed on October 8 on an annual basis. The freedom was declared on June 25, however, because of conciliations and dialogues of the Brioni Agreement, a postponement was put on the execution of the resolution. As a result, the Parliament of Croatia discontinued all outstanding relations with the Republic of Yugoslavia in the month of October 1991.
Slovenia proclaimed freedom from Yugoslavia in unison and observes Statehood Day on June 25. Nevertheless, Independence Day is observed by Slovenia on another day, which is December 26.
Croatia Statehood Day Celebrations
The Croatian Government organizes army march pasts annually at Jelačić Square in Zagreb, the capital of the country. It also organizes conferences with the parliament and performs traditional gatherings to talk about affairs associated with the nation’s global and domestic issues.
Statehood Day is a major public holiday in Croatia and is a work-free day.
Businesses, offices, and educational institutions remain closed in the country on this occasion. Garlands are placed and candles are illuminated at the epitaphs of the martyrs, which include the tombs of the brave soldiers of the country. Previously, observations featured a formal queue of armed forces at the Jelačić Square in Zagreb, and addresses by the administrative heads of the nation, which include the president.
