Croatia celebrates Independence Day

Independence Day celebrated in Croatia on Monday 8 October

Croatia celebrates Independence Day today. 

Croatia celebrates the unanimous decision of the Croatian Parliament back on 8 October 1991 to terminate the link between Croatia and SFR Yugoslavia today on Monday, 8 October 2018.

The Croatian referendum on independence was held in May 1991, with 93% of voters supporting the independence.

On 25 June the Croatian Sabor proclaimed the Croatian independence and seven days later, on 7 July, Croatia and Slovenia signed the Brioni Declaration in which the two countries agreed to suspend all declarations and acts passed by the Croatian and Slovenian parliaments related to those states’ secession from Yugoslavia for a period of three months.

On 8 October, the Sabor decided to end relations with Yugoslavia, in the decision on the termination of the state and legal ties with other republics and provinces of Yugoslavia.

That session was not held in the House of Parliament but instead in the basement of an INA building, because of the possibility of the repeat of an incident such as the bombing of Banski dvori.

The memorial plaque in front of the building where the independence was finally proclaimed (Photo: Suradnik13 under CC)

Independence Day was celebrated for the first time on 8 October back in 2002. Statehood Day is commemorated on 25 June.

President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović congratulated citizens with this message.

By the decision of the Croatian Parliament on 8 October 1991, following centuries of struggles, finally and irrevocably, under the resolute leadership of the first President Dr. Franjo Tuđman, and thanks to the courage of our defenders, we have realized our historical aspiration for State independence.

We are proud of our democratic State is known worldwide today thanks to the many international achievements of our citizens. We are a responsible member of numerous international organizations and integrations. Throughout the years of independence, we have achieved brilliant successes in many areas of state and social development, but we know that we have remarkable development potential and that is why we want much more and much better. We want a state in which everyone will be valued on the basis of their work and their contribution to the common good, in which our children and youth will have guaranteed prospects for quality education, employment and equitable pay, and in which families will have all the necessary conditions for having and raising children. We want a Croatia in which there will be more patriotic communion, solidarity and mutual respect.

We have a history that inspires us and a future that commits us.

In the wish to persevere in the realization of the noblest aspiration, to all Croats and to all the citizens at home and abroad, I cordially congratulate Independence Day of the Republic of Croatia.

President Grabar-Kitarović