This day is considered as one of the most important days in the country’s modern history. On this date in 1992, 64% of BiH citizens answered “yes” on the referendum question “Do you want Bosnia to be an independent state of all its citizens and equal nations?’
Unfortunately, even after thirty years, Independence Day is celebrated only in the Federation of BiH, while in Republika Srpska, March 1st is just a regular day.
To all readers of Sarajevo Times who perceive Bosnia and Herzegovina as their homeland, we wish a happy March 1st, the Independence Day of BiH.
Independence Day is a national holiday which is celebrated on the 1st of March every year, and it is celebrating the independence of BiH from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The referendum for the independence of BiH was held on the recommendation of the Arbitration Commission of the International Conference on Yugoslavia, in the final stages of dissolution of the former Yugoslavia. It was held on the 29th of February and the 1st of March, and it marked opting of citizens on the future of the country, but it was also introduction to a bloody war.
Adult citizens of the Socialist Republic of BiH voted on independence of BiH in the referendum in which the only question was: Are you for a sovereign and independent BiH, a state of equal citizens, peoples of BiH – Muslims, Serbs, Croats and members of other nations who live in it?
Citizens of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina voted for the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the referendum that was held between 29 February and 1 March 1992. The referendum question was: “Are you in favor of a sovereign and independent Bosnia-Herzegovina, a state of equal citizens and nations of Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats and others who live in it?” Independence was strongly favoured by Bosniaks and Bosnian Croat voters, while Bosnian Serbs (except for those in larger cities) boycotted it or were prevented from participating by Bosnian Serb authorities. The total turnout of voters was 63.6% of which 99.7% voted for the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The results of the referendum were accepted on 6 March by the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 7 April 1992, the European Community recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent state. The Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the parliament of the Bosnian-Croat Federation) then made the decision on 28 February 1995 that 1 March be the Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a national holiday. Two days later, on 1 March 1995, Independence Day was celebrated for the first time.
The Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is celebrated only in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Republika Srpska boycotts this holiday and celebrates its own Independence Day on 9 January. Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska entity, has claimed that Independence Day “is a holiday of the Bosnian people and we do not dispute it, but it is not a holiday celebrated in the RS”.
