Croatia celebrates Statehood Day – Dan državnosti – for 33rd time

Croatia celebrates Statehood Day

Zagreb, 30 May 2024 – Today, Croatia commemorates its 33rd Statehood Day (Dan državnosti) since declaring independence from Yugoslavia. 

This national celebration marks the pivotal moment on 25 June 1991, when the Croatian Parliament adopted the historic decision to separate from the former Yugoslav republics. 

This decision was a direct result of a referendum held on 19 May 1991, where an overwhelming 94 percent of citizens voted in favour of independence.

The referendum and subsequent parliamentary decision initiated Croatia’s journey to independence, a significant turning point in the nation’s modern history.

Statehood Day, known as Dan državnosti in Croatia, now celebrated on 30 May, has a complex history of its own. 

Originally, Statehood Day was observed on 30 May. However, in 2002, the Croatian government moved the celebration to 25 June, making 30 May a lesser holiday. 

This changed again on 14 November 2019, when the Croatian Parliament passed a new law on holidays, restoring 30 May as the official Statehood Day.

Today, the Croatian state leadership will honour the occasion by laying wreaths at the common grave of unidentified victims of the 1991-95 Homeland War, the Wall of Pain monument, and the monument commemorating the fallen soldiers of the Homeland War. 

These acts of remembrance are a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for Croatia’s independence and a reminder of the country’s hard-fought journey to sovereignty.

Google Doodle 

Once again Google has marked the day by dedicating its Google Doodle to Statehood Day. 

Google Doodle