Bosnia and Herzegovina Independence Day Today

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates March 1st, Independence Day, today.

Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a national holiday celebrated on March 1st every year, which commemorates 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 following the SDS's call for Serbs not to vote. It cannot be said that Serbs did not vote in this referendum.

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. 

The European Community recognized BiH as an independent and sovereign state on April 6th, 1992.

On February 28th, 1995, the Parliament passed a decision to celebrate March 1st as Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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

Pro-Bosnian forces, led by civic parties, are convinced that March 1st will eventually be celebrated throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina equally among all its citizens. 

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