Serbia Statehood Day of the Republic

Serbia Statehood Day of the Republic

February 15The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked nation in central and southeastern Europe. For over 300 years, starting in 1459, Serbia was under the control of Turkish Ottoman rule. Because the Serbian people were being oppressed by the Ottoman sultans, many migrated to other parts of the Balkan Peninsula.
On February 15, 1804, Serbian patriot Djordje Petrovic Karadjordje led an uprising against the Ottoman to gain independence. This uprising lasted over nine years, but in the end the Ottoman remained in control. A second uprising, led by Milos Obrenovic, occurred in 1815 and lasted two years. The second uprising was successful, and Serbia formally gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.
In 2001, the Serbian Parliament declared February 15 a state holiday to commemorate the day in 1804 that the first Serbian uprising against the Turks began. A ceremony is held in Orasac to celebrate the first Serbian uprising and constitution (signed in 1835), which led to the creation of the modern Serbian state. The main celebrations include festive concerts, film and theater premiers, exhibitions, and many other events.