The Bulgarian Land Forces are celebrating their holiday today. A statement from the Ministry of Defense's press center notes that November 19, 2024 marks 139 years since the glorious victory at Slivnitsa and 146 years since the establishment of the Bulgarian Land Forces. November 19 was designated as the holiday of the Land Forces by decision of the Council of Ministers in 1992 and by order of the Minister of Defense in the same year. It commemorates the first major victory of the army after the restoration of the Bulgarian state in 1878. On November 19, 1885, the Bulgarian infantry fought the decisive battle at Slivnitsa during the Serbo-Bulgarian War. This victory defended the act of Unification between Eastern Rumelia and the Principality of Bulgaria and the right of the Bulgarian people to live united and free.

The anniversary will be marked with a wreath laying and a flower laying ceremony at the Captain’s Memorial in Slivnitsa, the Ministry of Defense said. Traditionally, the command of the Land Forces, servicemen and veterans will follow in the footsteps of the Slivnitsa heroes, from the Captain’s Memorial to the memorial complex "Heroes of Slivnitsa" in the center of the town, where wreaths and flowers will be laid at 11:00 am. The march will continue to the Mother Bulgaria Pantheon near the village of Gurgulyat. Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will receive the guard of honor, deliver a speech and pay tribute to those who died in the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885. Military personnel and civilian employees from the Land Forces will be awarded for their high professionalism and responsibility in carrying out their duties. Deputy Minister of Defense Radostin Iliev and the Deputy Chief of Defense Lieutenant-General Mihail Popov will also attend the celebrations.