Every day in Bulgarian history holds a story worth remembering. In this recurring series, On This Day in Bulgaria, we look back at notable events, decisions, and milestones that happened on this date across the country’s history.
September 19, 1918 — Victory at the Battle of Doiran
The Battle of Doiran concluded with a decisive defensive victory for the Bulgarian forces, commanded by General Vladimir Vazov, against the British and Greek troops. Despite being heavily outnumbered and subjected to intense artillery bombardment, the Bulgarian defensive lines held, preventing an Allied invasion of the country’s heartland.
September 19, 1989 — The “Big Excursion” Migration Reaches 300,000
The mass migration of ethnic Turks from Bulgaria to Turkey, mockingly called the “Big Excursion” by the communist regime, reached a peak as the number of departures exceeded 300,000. Triggered by the regime’s forceful assimilation campaign, which included changing Turkish names to Bulgarian ones, this migration caused severe economic disruption and international condemnation.
Explore more of Bulgaria’s story on Bronicable, including our Bulgaria From Above series and our guides to the best of Bulgaria.
