Bulgaria was established in 681 AD when local Slavic tribes joined with invading Bulgars. In the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks took over in what Bulgarians call the “Turkish Yoke.” Ottoman dominance ended in the late 19th century after the Russian-Turkish war.

Bulgaria sided with Germany in World Wars I and II but mass protests in 1943 prevented Germany from deporting Bulgaria’s 50,000 Jews to concentration camps. After the wars, the Soviets suspiciously seized control and for years, Bulgaria remained Moscow’s unwavering ally.

In 1989, faced with national and international pressure, the communist leader fell from power. The Communists renamed themselves the Bulgarian Socialist Party and won free elections the following year.

Political instability marked the next six years as five different governments held office during that time. In 1996, mass protests over the failing economy forced out the socialist president, ending socialist rule in 1997. Bulgaria continued to teeter on the brink of instability and underwent major political and economic reforms to join the European Union in 2007.

Source: Bulgaria CultureGram 2009