On 25 June Croatia celebrates its 1991 declaration of independence from Yugoslavia.
On May 30, 1990 the first post-Communist multi-party Parliament was constituted. On May 19, 1991, Croatia held independence referendum, which followed the Croatian parliamentary elections of 1990. ( held between 22 and 23 April 1990; the second round of voting held between 6–7 May. These were the first free, multi-party elections held in Croatia since 1938 and the first such elections for the Croatian Parliament since 1913.) Referendum turnout was 83 % and 93% voters voted for independence of Croatia. Croatia declared its independence and dissolution of its association with Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991.
Croatia had to introduce though a three-month moratorium urged by the European Community and through Brioni Agreement. ( signed by Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia) Eleven days after the agreement was made, the federal government pulled the JNA out of Slovenia but the agreement had no effect on fighting in Croatia. The war in Croatia ( 1991-1995) escalated during the moratorium.
On 8 October 1991, the Croatian Parliament severed all remaining ties with Yugoslavia. Therefore, October 8 is celebrated in Croatia as an Independence Day. In 1992, the countries of the European Economic Community granted Croatia diplomatic recognition and Croatia was admitted to the United Nations. The war ended with Croatian victory, as it achieved the goals it had declared at the beginning of the war: independence and preservation of its borders.
The National Day of Croatia is an official holiday and a day off work.
Read also: