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Dec 5, 681
Beginning of the Bulgarian state
In the medieval history of Europe, Bulgaria's status as the Bulgarian Empire (Bulgarian: , Balgarsko tsarstvo ˈ, wherein it acted as a key regional power (particularly rivaling Byzantium in Southeastern Europe occurred in two distinct periods: between the seventh and eleventh centuries, and again between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. The two "Bulgarian Empires" are not treated as separate entities, but rather as one state restored after a period of Byzantine rule over its territory. -
Dec 24, 813
The First Bulgarian Kingdom
Khan Krum defeated the Romans who had set a trap to kill him and taught them an important lesson: Don’t mess with the Khan. He got the nickname “the Terrible”. In 813 Krum’s army stood outside the walls of Constantinople ready to attack. Krum’s sudden death prevented the Bulgarians from taking Constantinople. -
Dec 24, 1197
The second Bulgarian Kingdom
Tsar Peter II and Tsar Ivan Assen I were brothers. They saw the opportune moment for a new uprising. Only a spark was needed to flare up a new liberation uprising. On the day of the inauguration of a church in Turnovo Peter was crowned Tsar. After 167 years of Byzantine domination, the Bulgarians again had a state of their own. The two brothers ruled from 1185 to 1197. -
Dec 24, 1397
The Ottoman invasion
In 1396 the last Bulgarian fortress was seized by the Turks. The Ottoman Empire ruled Hungary for 200 years, Greece for 400, and Bulgaria for 500. The Ottoman rule was the darkest period in the history of Bulgaria.
