April 16 is one of Bulgaria’s most dramatic dates, joining the birth of constitutional government with one of the country’s darkest acts of political violence.
April 16, 1879 — The Tarnovo Constitution Is Adopted
On April 16, 1879, the Constituent Assembly in Tarnovo adopted the Constitution of the Principality of Bulgaria, later known as the Tarnovo Constitution. It became one of the most liberal constitutions of its time, establishing principles of representation, civil rights, and parliamentary government in the newly restored state. The constitution gave legal form to Bulgaria’s political rebirth after liberation and became a symbol of constitutional tradition. It was suspended and amended at different moments, but its place in national memory remained powerful. April 16 is therefore observed as Constitution Day and marks the moment when Bulgaria’s modern political framework was first written into law.
April 16, 1925 — The St Nedelya Church Bombing Takes Place
On April 16, 1925, militants from an extreme left group connected with the Bulgarian Communist Party carried out the bombing of St Nedelya Church in Sofia. The attack killed about 150 people, many from the political and military elite, and injured around 500. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Bulgarian history. The bombing came during a period of severe political polarization, repression, and underground violence after the turmoil of 1923. Its effect was devastating: grief, fear, and further state crackdowns deepened the wounds of Bulgarian society. April 16 therefore carries a double meaning — constitutional hope in 1879 and catastrophic political hatred in 1925.
Read about April 15 or continue with April 17. For more stories, explore Bulgaria From Above.
