Bosnia and Herzegovina, Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a national holiday celebrated on March 1st every year, celebrating BiH's independence. Adult citizens of the then SRBiH voted on the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a referendum held on February 29th and March 1st, 1992. The referendum question was:

- Are you for a sovereign and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, a state of equal citizens, the peoples of BiH - Muslims, Serbs, Croats, and members of other nations living in it?

Independence was strongly supported mainly by Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats, while a larger number of Bosnian Serbs boycotted the referendum due to the SDS's call for Serbs not to vote.

A total of 2,073,568 voters participated in the referendum, which represented a turnout of 63.6%. Of that number, 99.7% voted for independence, and 0.3% against that decision.

On February 28, 1995, the Parliament passed a decision to celebrate March 1st as the Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Community recognized BiH as an independent and sovereign state on April 6, 1992.

Followers of the same policy that boycotted the referendum still dispute this day, and therefore it is celebrated only in the FBiH.

The Patria News Agency wishes all Bosnians and Herzegovinians, all those who carry Bosnia and Herzegovina in their hearts and for whom Bosnia and Herzegovina is their one and only homeland, a Happy Independence Day.