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.
August 23, 1877 — Shipka Holds
With the arrival of Russian reinforcements from the north, the Ottoman assault on the Shipka Pass was decisively repelled. Bulgarian volunteers and Russian soldiers had held the mountain summit for three extraordinary days against an army many times their size. The pass remained in Bulgarian and Russian hands for the rest of the Russo-Turkish War — and the Battle of Shipka passed into history as one of the defining episodes of Bulgarian national liberation.
August 23, 1939 — The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
The signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union shocked European capitals and fundamentally reshaped the continent’s alliance structure. Bulgaria, though not a party to the agreement, followed events closely: the pact neutralised Soviet opposition to German expansion and set in motion the sequence of events that would ultimately draw Bulgaria into the Second World War.
Explore more of Bulgaria’s story on Bronicable, including our Bulgaria From Above series and our guides to the best of Bulgaria.
