Statehood Day is an annual public holiday and a national day celebrated on 30 May in Croatia to celebrate the constitution of the first modern multi-party Croatian Parliament in 1990. As a national day and public holiday, it is a non-working day for all government employees and the majority of the labor force based in Croatia.
History of Croatia Statehood Day
On 30 May 1990, the first modern multi-party Croatian Parliament convened, following the 1990 Croatian parliamentary election. This date was from 1990 to 2002 marked as Statehood Day. The Government of Ivica Raฤan moved Statehood Day to 25 June in 2002, and 30 May was marked as a memorial day (working) under the name Day of the Croatian Parliament. On 25 June, after the independence referendum held on 19 May 1991, Croatia proclaimed its independence, but due to the negotiation of the Brioni Agreement, a three-month moratorium was placed on the implementation of the decision and the Parliament cut all remaining ties with Yugoslavia on 8 October 1991. 8 October was a holiday, Independence Day from 2002 to 2019, when it was declared a Memorial Day (working).
Significance of Croatia Statehood Day
Croatia’s Statehood Day holds great significance for the country and its people. It symbolizes Croatia’s struggle for self-determination and the establishment of its sovereignty. The holiday is a reminder of the country’s journey toward independence, its perseverance during the challenging war years, and its subsequent path of building a democratic and independent nation.