Croatia celebrates Independence Day today

 (Photo: Bracodbk/CC)

ZAGREB, 8 October 2019 – Croatia celebrates Independence Day today. The nation celebrates the unanimous decision of the Croatian Parliament back on 8 October 1991 to terminate the link between Croatia and SFR Yugoslavia. 

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.

Dear Croats,
Dear Croatian citizens,

On Independence Day we recall the Croatian Parliament’s historical Decision on the final and irrevocable independence of the Republic of Croatia. Every Croatian patriot is proud and grateful to all known and unknown individuals who made sacrifices for this historical goal. Today, Croatia is a State that is known and respected. In the past twenty-eight years we have made many achievements, we have demonstrated that no goal in unreachable if we are committed to it.

We know and sense that we can do more and better for Croatia. We wish to create a society and a State tailored to the needs of the Croatian man. I believe that we shall succeed because I believe in the Croatian people, because I believe in Croatia.

To all esteemed citizens in the country and abroad, I sincerely congratulate Independence Day of the Republic of Croatia.