Victory Day (Croatia)

Last updated

Victory Day
16 obljetnica vojnoredarstvene operacije Oluja 05082011 Kninska tvrdjava 155.jpg
Soldiers raising the Flag of Croatia on Knin Fortress, 5 August 2011
Official nameDan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja
Observed by Croatia
Significance Operation Storm
Date 5 August
Next time5 August 2024 (2024-08)
FrequencyAnnual
A banner marking Victory Day on a construction site in Zagreb, 5 August 2010 Oluja banner.jpg
A banner marking Victory Day on a construction site in Zagreb, 5 August 2010
Victory Day in Knin, 5 August 2015 Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja.JPG
Victory Day in Knin, 5 August 2015

Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders (Croatian : Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja) is a public holiday in Croatia that is celebrated annually on 5 August, commemorating the Croatian War of Independence. [1] On that date in 1995 the Croatian Army took the city of Knin during Operation Storm, which effectively brought an end to the Republic of Serbian Krajina proto-state. [2] In 2008, the Croatian Parliament also assigned the name Day of Croatian Defenders (Croatian : Dan hrvatskih branitelja) to the holiday, which honors the current service members and veterans of the Armed Forces of Croatia. [3]

Contents

Celebrations

The main celebration is centered in Knin where there are festivities commemorating the event, beginning with a mass and laying of wreaths in honour of those who died in the war, and continuing with parades and concerts. The event is attended by thousands, including the country's leading politicians. [4] The Flag of Croatia on Knin Fortress is ceremonially raised as part of the celebrations. [5]

2015 parade

A special military parade of the Armed Forces in honor of Victory Day was held on 4 August 2015 in Zagreb, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Operation Storm. [6] The parade was opened by the Honor Guard Battalion on the lawns of the National and University Library, with three MiG-21's flying over the city. [7] "Lijepa naša domovino" was performed by the 12-year-old Mia Negovetić, accompanied by the Croatian Armed Forces Band and the Croatian Navy's vocal ensemble. [8] It aroused great public interest considering that the last military parade in Croatia was organized in 1997. About 100,000 spectators attended the parade, additional sound systems were installed at the last minute until the intersection of City of Vukovar and Savska Streets. [9] The editorial board of the Zagreb-based Jutarnji list , gave a positive review of the parade, demanding the introduction of regular parades for Victory Day. [10] Military analyst Igor Tabak praised the event, while criticizing the inauthenticity of certain "historical units". [11]

Silver jubilee

On the silver jubilee in 2020, the celebrations were attended for the first time ever by an ethnic Serb political representative, Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milošević, a move which was applauded across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković among others stating that it will "send a new message for Croatian society". [12] On top of this, Plenković, as well as President Zoran Milanović sent messages of peace to the people of Serbia. [13] [12] Opposition to the move from the Deputy Prime Minister came from members of the political far-right such as the Homeland Movement and the Croatian Defence Forces, as well as from politicians from Serbia and entity Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Storm</span> Military offensive and the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence

Operation Storm was the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence and a major factor in the outcome of the Bosnian War. It was a decisive victory for the Croatian Army (HV), which attacked across a 630-kilometre (390 mi) front against the self-declared proto-state Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK), and a strategic victory for the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH). The HV was supported by the Croatian special police advancing from the Velebit Mountain, and the ARBiH located in the Bihać pocket, in the Army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina's (ARSK) rear. The battle, launched to restore Croatian control of 10,400 square kilometres of territory, representing 18.4% of the territory it claimed, and Bosniak control of Western Bosnia, was the largest European land battle since World War II. Operation Storm commenced at dawn on 4 August 1995 and was declared complete on the evening of 7 August, despite significant mopping-up operations against pockets of resistance lasting until 14 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Croatia</span>

The culture of Croatia has historically been influenced by Central European, Mediterranean, and Balkan cultures. Croatia's unique culture and identity can be traced back to the historical llyricum. The Croatian language is believed to have been formed in the 6th or 7th century, with the written language present in Glagolitic texts from the 11th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knin</span> City in Dalmatia, Croatia

Knin is a city in the Šibenik-Knin County of Croatia, located in the Dalmatian hinterland near the source of the river Krka, an important traffic junction on the rail and road routes between Zagreb and Split. Knin rose to prominence twice in history, as the capital of both the medieval Kingdom of Croatia and briefly of the self-proclaimed quasi-state Republic of Serbian Krajina within the newly independent Republic of Croatia for the duration of Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995.

The military history of Croatia encompasses wars, battles and all military actions fought on the territory of modern Croatia and the military history of the Croat people regardless of political geography.

<i>Za dom spremni</i> Croatian ultranationalist gesture used by the Ustase

Za dom spremni! was a salute used during World War II by the Croatian Ustaše movement. It was the Ustaše equivalent of the fascist or Nazi salute Sieg Heil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatia–Serbia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations between Croatia and Serbia are bound together by shared history, cultural ties and geography. The two states established diplomatic relations in 1996, following the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Croatian War of Independence and the independence of Croatia. Modern diplomatic relations are functional but cool, stemming from historic nation-building conflict and divergent political ideologies. Their relationship holds geopolitical importance in Southeast Europe given their economic influence in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatia–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Full diplomatic relations between Croatia and Israel were established on April 9, 1997 following Croatia's independence from SFR Yugoslavia. Croatia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and honorary consulates in Ashdod, Caesarea, Jerusalem and Kfar Shmaryahu. Israel has an embassy in Zagreb. Relations between the two countries are described as friendly and highly cooperative. In recent years, Croatia and Israel have intensified bilateral relations and defence and security cooperation. Croatia is one of the countries Israel occasionally turns to inside the EU to advocate on its behalf and it generally abstains or votes with Israel on key EU votes at the UN. Israeli president Reuven Rivlin described Croatia in 2019 as "Israel's strong ally in the EU, the UN and other multilateral organizations."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knin Fortress</span>

Knin Fortress is located near the tallest mountain in Croatia, Dinara, and near the source of the river Krka. It is the second largest fortress in Croatia and most significant defensive stronghold, and a historical town in the Šibenik-Knin County in the Dalmatian Hinterland. The construction of the fortress started as early as 9th century, while the current state was brought up in 17th and 18th centuries. It reached its peak during the reign of Demetrius Zvonimir, King of Croatia from 1076, as it served as a political center of the Croatian Kingdom under him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivers of Justice</span> Centre-left political alliance in Croatia

Rivers of Justice is a centre-left political alliance in Croatia. Gathered around the Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), the coalition was originally formed in 2010 as the Kukuriku coalition. This somewhat facetious name meaning 'cock-a-doodle-doo', taken from a restaurant of the same name in Kastav where the coalition leaders first convened in July 2009, became well known and was eventually taken as the coalition's official name. The coalition originally consisted of four centrist and centre-left parties in the Croatian Parliament: the Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats (HNS-LD), Croatian Party of Pensioners (HSU) and Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS). The coalition won an absolute majority of seats in the 2011 parliamentary election and successfully formed a government led by Zoran Milanović (SDP).

Opinion polling for the 2015 Croatian parliamentary election started immediately after the 2011 general election. Monthly party ratings are conducted by Ipsos Puls, Mediana and Promocija Plus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M604 railway (Croatia)</span> Railway line in Croatia

Lika railway, officially a part of M604 railway, is a 220 km-long single-track, un-electrified railroad connecting Zagreb-Rijeka line with Knin railway hub. It mostly runs through Lika region. M604 railway is the only operating railway link between the continental Croatia and Dalmatia, especially its harbors of Split, Zadar, and Šibenik (M607). Lika railway, finished in 1925, is a key part of this link. The M604 line itself runs from Oštarije/Ogulin on Zagreb-Rijeka railway past Knin, to Split terminus. Its total length is 320 km. Historically, much older Knin-Split section of M604 line used to be known as Dalmatian railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 European Parliament election in Croatia</span>

The 2024 European Parliament elections in Croatia were held on 9 June 2024 as part of the 2024 European Parliament election. This was the fourth parliamentary election since Croatia's EU accession in 2013, and the first to take place after Brexit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Croatian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Croatia on 17 April 2024 to elect the members of the 11th Sabor. Prior to the elections, the government consisted of a coalition of the Croatian Democratic Union and Independent Democratic Serb Party, with parliamentary support of five national minority MPs, two MPs from the Croatian Social Liberal Party and Croatian Demochristian Party, and one independent MP, Silvano Hrelja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabinet of Andrej Plenković II</span> Current government of Croatia

The Fifteenth Government of the Republic of Croatia was the Croatian Government cabinet formed on 23 July 2020, following the 2020 election. It was led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. The cabinet was dissolved on 17 May 2024 and was succeeded by a new government presided over by Plenković for the third consecutive time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boris Milošević</span> Croatian politician

Boris Milošević is a Croatian Serb lawyer and politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia between 2020 and 2022. He is a member of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS). He previously served as the president of the Serb National Council from July 2019 until July 2020.

The Croatian Sovereignists are a conservative and Christian right-wing political party in Croatia. The party was founded in 2019 and is led by Marijan Pavliček.

The Croatian euro coins are a set of euro coins currently being minted by the Croatian Mint since July 2022. They are the official euro coins with the national motif of Croatia.

Ukraine and Russia have had hostile relations since 2014 Russian occupation of Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. In February 2022, a major escalation happened after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This article concerns influence of Russo-Ukrainian conflict on Croatians and Republic of Croatia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anja Šimpraga</span> Croatian politician

Anja Šimpraga is a Croatian politician serving as a Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia and a minister without portfolio in charge of social affairs and human and minority rights since 29 April 2022. Previously, she served as a member of the Croatian Parliament from 2020 to 2022. An ethnic Serb, Šimpraga is a member of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Zagreb protest</span> 2024 civil protest against ruling Croatian party

Zagreb protest was a political protest organized in Zagreb, Croatia, on 17 February 2024 by a coalition of 11 left-wing, liberal opposition parties against the government of Andrej Plenković and the Croatian Democratic Union. The protest was held under the name "Enough! Let's go to the elections!".

References

  1. ↑ Croatian Parliament (21 November 2002). "Zakon o blagdanima, spomendanima i neradnim danima u Republici Hrvatskoj" (in Croatian). Narodne novine . Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "5. kolovoza – Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja". Hrvatski sabor (in Croatian). Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "Sabor: 5. kolovoza ubuduće će se slaviti i kao Dan branitelja". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). 13 May 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  4. ↑ "Hrvatska slavi Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti" (in Croatian). Hrvatska radiotelevizija. 5 August 2002. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  5. ↑ Katarina Zorić (5 August 2008). "Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti" [Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day]. Nacional. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Spektakularna vojna parada: Zadnji u koloni prošli tenkovi" (in Croatian). 24sata. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  7. ↑ tportal.hr: MIG-ovi za kraj proparali nebo, predsjednica i premijer neobično ljubazni jedno prema drugome, tportal.hr, pristupljeno 4. kolovoza 2015.
  8. ↑ Dnevnik – Mia Negovetić pjeva himnu, 4 August 2015, archived from the original on 14 December 2021, retrieved 10 August 2020
  9. ↑ Krešimir Žabec, Rozita Vuković: "Foto: Hrvatska vojska i narod su jedno! Metropolom stupali vojnici, prolazili tenkovi, nebo parali MiG-ovi, građani im klicali", Jutarnji list, 4. kolovoza 2015.
  10. ↑ Gordanka Jureško: Komentar Jutarnjeg. Mimohod treba postati obveza za sve buduće generacije. Možda bi zakonom trebalo obvezati vlast da postane tradicija, Jutarnji list, objavljeno: 5. kolovoza 2015.
  11. ↑ Igor Tabak: "Što zapamtiti od mimohoda u Zagrebu?", obris.org, 18. kolovoza 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Croatia marks 25 years since war with tolerance message". Al Jazeera. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Vladisavljević, Anja; Stojanović, Milica (5 August 2020). "Croatia Hails 25th Anniversary of Operation Storm Victory; Serbs Mourn". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.