The Day of Thrace is associated with the greatest victory of the Bulgarian army during the Balkan War

The Day of Thrace, celebrated on March 26 (new style), is associated with the greatest victory of the Bulgarian army during the Balkan War in 1913 - the Victory at Adrianople. It comes after fierce and bloody battles in Lozengrad, Bunarhisar, Bulair and Chataldzha, resulted in the brilliant successes of the Bulgarian soldier.

Short historical background...

[url=http://www.burgasmuseums.bg/index.php?tab=hist&lang=en&page=encyc&enc=balkanwars&eid=127]After several months of siege, dark clouds were looming over Edirne.[/url] For the Turkish command, in the first hours of the attack on the fort, on March 24, it was clear that the events shall have irreversible development. The commandant of the fort, Shukri Pasha sent to the government in Constantinople (Istanbul) fast telegram:
"The Bulgarians attack "on knife" the forefront of the eastern sector. My soldiers in this sector rebelled against their officers, who wanted to hold them against the enemy. The front positions are abandoned by their defenders who seek refuge behind the lines".

[url=http://www.burgasmuseums.bg/index.php?tab=hist&lang=bg&page=encyc&enc=balkanwars&eid=127]The Fall of the "impregnable" and well fortified Edirne fortress [/url] is crucial for the final blow against Turkey. The grueling, yet remarkable operation had come to an end. The battle became famous across Europe and was included in warfare textbooks. The annals of military history marked some warfare innovation from the conduct of the battle - the first air strike, the first combat flight mission of woman, the first usage of radio interference.

The Day of Thrace honours the memory of all outstanding officers and soldiers for more than 100 years after those fateful days, and let them be admired even today for their courage and selflessness.

But the day of Thrace is not just the Victory at Adrianople. It is the memory of those Bulgarian soldiers who perished, defending the fair and justifiable cause for all families and broken dreams. This date itself brings many diverse feelings in all Bulgarians, but mostly the Thracians, those thousands of refugees who were forced to abandon everything and leave their places, yet managed to preserve the memory of their ancestors.

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