{"version":2,"locale":"en","id":"story.independence-1908","hasFind":true,"slug":"independence-1908","url":"/en/stories/independence-1908/","topic":"Bulgarian independence 1908","title":"How Ferdinand became Tsar","summary":"A treaty leaves Bulgaria dependent on the Sultan. A strike, a manifesto and negotiations change its status.","cover":{"title":"How Ferdinand became Tsar","subtitle":"The proclamation of independence in 1908","hook":"Why does the prince declare independence?","summary":"A treaty leaves Bulgaria dependent on the Sultan. A strike, a manifesto and negotiations change its status.","takeaway":"The proclamation of independence in 1908 is followed by international recognition in 1909."},"sortYear":1908,"firstActivity":3,"epoch":{"id":"epoch.xx","styleId":"xx","sortOrder":0,"title":"20th century","dateLabel":"1901–2000","eraShort":"20th century","slug":"xx","fill":"#CFC9C4","ink":"#221616","raised":"#D6D1CD","dark":"#64615F"},"epochId":"epoch.xx","placeShort":"Tarnovo","date":"1908–1909","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-480.acaef7d7.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-1211.acaef7d7.avif","w":1211}],"dominant":"#ad8067","h":2316,"w":1211,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.webp","id":"asset.ind.cross-back-cutout","alt":"Cut-out detail; background removed. Cross with a ribbon and a standing lion in the centre.","objectCaption":"Memorial cross","caption":"Commemorative independence cross, opposite side. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. The story’s sources do not establish this specimen’s manufacture date. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_back.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"},"scenes":[{"id":"independence-1908.s1-prince","number":1,"kind":"narrative","title":"A prince, a parliament and a tax","body":"Bulgaria has a prince, a parliament and an army. Parliament is an assembly of representatives that helps make laws. The prince heads the state. Why declare independence in 1908?\n\nThe 1878 Berlin treaty defines Bulgaria as an autonomous principality, a state ruled by a prince. “Autonomous” means it runs its internal affairs. Yet it remains under the Ottoman Sultan, ruler of the Ottoman Empire. The treaty requires Bulgaria to pay him a tax. In 1908 this dependence has still not been removed.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-480.171287ab.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-1280.171287ab.avif","w":1280}],"dominant":"#666666","h":715,"w":1280,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.webp","id":"asset.ind.proclamation-group","alt":"A group of men in military uniforms and formal clothes outdoors.","objectCaption":"Archival photograph from Tarnovo, 1908. It does not show the reading inside the church.","caption":"Archival photograph from Tarnovo, 1908. It does not show the reading inside the church.","kindLabel":"Archive","kind":"archive","visibleKind":"Archive","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Photographer not established · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"The photographer is not established. Source: Wikimedia Commons, credit БИА (Bulgarian Historical Archive). Commons states Public domain. Processed image. Archival photograph","attributionParts":[{"text":"The photographer is not established. Source: Wikimedia Commons, credit БИА (Bulgarian Historical Archive). Commons states Public domain. Processed image. Archival photograph","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferdinannd_at_Tzarevetz_1908.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":35.204791666666665,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.s1-prince","duration":35.328,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/s1-prince.835d3b47.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.berlin"},{"id":"src.ind.constitution"},{"id":"src.ind.military"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.s2-two-places","number":2,"kind":"map","title":"The two parts unite","body":"South of the Balkan Mountains, the treaty creates Eastern Rumelia. This province has its own local government, but remains under the Sultan’s direct authority. In 1885 it unites with the Bulgarian principality. The two parts are now governed together. But under the treaty, Bulgaria remains under the Sultan’s authority.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-church-2016-480.b295a053.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-church-2016-960.b295a053.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-church-2016-1600.b295a053.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#6d6351","h":1200,"w":1600,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-church-2016-960.b295a053.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-church-2016-960.b295a053.webp","id":"asset.ind.church-2016","alt":"Interior of the Holy Forty Martyrs Church with stone columns.","objectCaption":"Interior in 2016, after the church’s restoration in 2006. The photograph does not reproduce the exact setting of 1908.","caption":"Interior in 2016, after the church’s restoration in 2006. The photograph does not reproduce the exact setting of 1908.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"cover","credit":"Powerfox · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Powerfox, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Powerfox, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_Forty_Martyrs_Church,_Veliko_Tarnovo.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[{"note":"Tarnovo — the manifesto will be read here.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.ind.church","name":"Holy Forty Martyrs Church","short":"Tarnovo","latitude":43.084444,"longitude":25.65,"accuracy":"approximate","radiusMeters":50,"sourceIds":["src.ind.coordinates-church","src.ind.military","src.ias.coord.church","src.ias.museum-church"],"guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/holy-forty-martyrs-church/","slug":"ind.church","url":"/en/map/#ind.church"},{"note":"Constantinople, now Istanbul, was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.asp.constantinople","name":"Constantinople","latitude":41.01224,"longitude":28.976018055555553,"accuracy":"approximate","radiusMeters":5000,"sourceIds":["src.asp.coord.constantinople","src.asp.council681","src.asp.todorovski2024","src.sim.coordinates.constantinople","src.sim.leszka2011","src.ind.coordinates-istanbul","src.ind.protocols","src.bor.coordinates-constantinople","src.kal.coordinates.constantinople"],"guideUrl":null,"slug":"asp.constantinople","url":"/en/map/#asp.constantinople"}],"map":{"light":{"src":"/assets/maps/relief@3x.jpg?v=075869a7dd","w":3072,"h":1987,"avif":[],"webp":[],"responsive":[{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-2x-1024.4c826249.avif","w":1024},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-3x-1536.8876519a.avif","w":1536},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-2x-2048.4c826249.avif","w":2048},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-3x-3072.8876519a.avif","w":3072}]},"dark":{"src":"/assets/maps/relief-dark@3x.jpg?v=0941a59d06","w":3072,"h":1987,"avif":[],"webp":[],"responsive":[{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-2x-1024.73ab39a9.avif","w":1024},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-3x-1536.4f3ca147.avif","w":1536},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-2x-2048.73ab39a9.avif","w":2048},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-3x-3072.4f3ca147.avif","w":3072}]},"places":[{"note":"Tarnovo — the manifesto will be read here.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.ind.church","name":"Holy Forty Martyrs Church","short":"Tarnovo","latitude":43.084444,"longitude":25.65,"accuracy":"approximate","radiusMeters":50,"sourceIds":["src.ind.coordinates-church","src.ind.military","src.ias.coord.church","src.ias.museum-church"],"guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/holy-forty-martyrs-church/","slug":"ind.church","url":"/en/map/#ind.church","number":1,"x":51.875,"y":40.62189,"inside":true,"viewX":40.38709677419355,"viewY":23.88109382580644},{"note":"Constantinople, now Istanbul, was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.asp.constantinople","name":"Constantinople","latitude":41.01224,"longitude":28.976018055555553,"accuracy":"approximate","radiusMeters":5000,"sourceIds":["src.asp.coord.constantinople","src.asp.council681","src.asp.todorovski2024","src.sim.coordinates.constantinople","src.sim.leszka2011","src.ind.coordinates-istanbul","src.ind.protocols","src.bor.coordinates-constantinople","src.kal.coordinates.constantinople"],"guideUrl":null,"slug":"asp.constantinople","url":"/en/map/#asp.constantinople","number":2,"x":93.45023,"y":94.57164,"inside":true,"viewX":91.88673651612903,"viewY":93.04119269677419}],"extent":[0,0,1,1],"orientation":[{"name":"Sofia","kind":"town","x":22.774,"y":50.826,"viewX":4.3394064516128985,"viewY":36.962104516129024},{"name":"Plovdiv","kind":"town","x":40.566,"y":65.549,"viewX":26.378529032258065,"viewY":55.83604064516129},{"name":"Varna","kind":"town","x":80.184,"y":37.187,"viewX":75.45372903225807,"viewY":19.477786451612886},{"name":"Burgas","kind":"town","x":74.532,"y":55.892,"viewX":68.45254193548386,"viewY":43.45638967741935},{"name":"Ruse","kind":"town","x":55.821,"y":20.617,"viewX":45.275045161290315,"viewY":-1.763884516129049},{"name":"Veliko Tarnovo","kind":"town","x":51.465,"y":40.853,"viewX":39.879225806451615,"viewY":24.17736193548386},{"name":"Pleven","kind":"town","x":38.834,"y":31.796,"viewX":24.233083870967743,"viewY":12.566872258064501},{"name":"Stara Zagora","kind":"town","x":51.681,"y":57.962,"viewX":40.14678709677419,"viewY":46.10999612903225},{"name":"Shumen","kind":"town","x":67.951,"y":35.671,"viewX":60.30059354838709,"viewY":17.534372258064497},{"name":"Vidin","kind":"town","x":17.099,"y":16.308,"viewX":-2.69027096774194,"viewY":-7.287744516129052},{"name":"Blagoevgrad","kind":"town","x":19.929,"y":68.531,"viewX":0.8152774193548336,"viewY":59.658772258064516},{"name":"Haskovo","kind":"town","x":50.694,"y":70.78,"viewX":38.92418064516129,"viewY":62.54184516129031},{"name":"Smolyan","kind":"town","x":40.014,"y":80.031,"viewX":25.69476129032258,"viewY":74.40103032258065},{"name":"Sliven","kind":"town","x":60.286,"y":51.247,"viewX":50.80588387096775,"viewY":37.501799354838695},{"name":"Dobrich","kind":"town","x":79.091,"y":27.65,"viewX":74.09981935483869,"viewY":7.251967741935463},{"name":"Pernik","kind":"town","x":19.223,"y":53.257,"viewX":-0.05925161290323235,"viewY":40.07848967741934},{"name":"Yambol","kind":"town","x":62.544,"y":56.432,"viewX":53.60289032258064,"viewY":44.14863483870967},{"name":"Pazardzhik","kind":"town","x":35.42,"y":64.052,"viewX":20.004129032258064,"viewY":53.91698322580646},{"name":"Vratsa","kind":"town","x":25.661,"y":37.29,"viewX":7.915561290322577,"viewY":19.6098258064516},{"name":"Gabrovo","kind":"town","x":47.734,"y":46.177,"viewX":35.2576,"viewY":31.00238645161289},{"name":"Kardzhali","kind":"town","x":48.471,"y":78.573,"viewX":36.17052903225806,"viewY":72.53196838709675},{"name":"Kyustendil","kind":"town","x":14.889,"y":61.673,"viewX":-5.427819354838715,"viewY":50.86725870967741},{"name":"Montana","kind":"town","x":21.563,"y":31.916,"viewX":2.8393290322580587,"viewY":12.720704516129016},{"name":"Lovech","kind":"town","x":40.178,"y":39.23,"viewX":25.897909677419346,"viewY":22.096780645161274},{"name":"Silistra","kind":"town","x":72.008,"y":13.056,"viewX":65.32603870967742,"viewY":-11.456598709677444},{"name":"Targovishte","kind":"town","x":63.402,"y":36.202,"viewX":54.66570322580645,"viewY":18.215079999999986},{"name":"Razgrad","kind":"town","x":62.709,"y":28.698,"viewX":53.80727741935484,"viewY":8.595436129032242},{"name":"Kazanlak","kind":"town","x":48.661,"y":52.884,"viewX":36.405883870967735,"viewY":39.60032774193547},{"name":"Danube","kind":"nature","x":46.384,"y":23.924,"viewX":33.58534193548387,"viewY":2.4754761290322405},{"name":"Black Sea","kind":"nature","x":86.25,"y":45.496,"viewX":82.96774193548387,"viewY":30.129388387096768},{"name":"Balkan Mountains","kind":"nature","x":41.25,"y":49.45,"viewX":27.2258064516129,"viewY":35.198161290322574},{"name":"Rila","kind":"nature","x":25.625,"y":65.69,"viewX":7.870967741935477,"viewY":56.01679354838708},{"name":"Pirin","kind":"nature","x":24.125,"y":75.565,"viewX":6.012903225806446,"viewY":68.67590645161289},{"name":"Rhodope Mountains","kind":"nature","x":38.75,"y":79.447,"viewX":24.129032258064516,"viewY":73.65238},{"name":"Strandzha","kind":"nature","x":76.25,"y":67.774,"viewX":70.5806451612903,"viewY":58.68834709677419}],"crop":{"sx":0.8072916666666666,"sy":0.7800704579768494,"x":0.19270833333333337,"y":0.21992954202315063},"credit":{"id":"map-relief"}},"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":20.541375,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.s2-two-places","duration":20.651,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/s2-two-places.b2d42f61.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.berlin"},{"id":"src.ind.gov-history"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"},{"id":"src.ind.rebuild"},{"id":"src.ind.photo.church-2016"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.a1-status","number":3,"kind":"activity","title":"Activity: what is still missing?","body":"","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":{"id":"q.ind.status","kind":"single_choice","prompt":"What still limits Bulgaria after unification in 1885?","sourceIds":["src.ind.berlin","src.ind.gov-history"],"items":[{"id":"opt-dependence","label":"The Sultan’s authority"},{"id":"opt-assembly","label":"The existence of a parliament","whyWrong":"Parliament is part of Bulgaria’s own government, not the Sultan’s authority."},{"id":"opt-army","label":"The existence of a Bulgarian army","whyWrong":"Having its own army is not dependence on the Sultan. The army exists before independence."}],"explanation":"The two parts are governed together, but the Sultan’s authority under the treaty remains until independence is proclaimed.","correctItemId":"opt-dependence","sources":[{"id":"src.ind.berlin"},{"id":"src.ind.gov-history"}]},"audio":{"durationSeconds":5.761875,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.a1-status","duration":5.888,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/a1-status.9a2f6f33.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.berlin"},{"id":"src.ind.gov-history"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.s3-railways","number":4,"kind":"narrative","title":"Who controls the rails?","body":"In September 1908, Eastern Railways employees go on strike. Some lines lie in Bulgaria. But the treaty preserves Ottoman rights over them. The Bulgarian state takes control and sends railway workers and soldiers. The railway dispute can also be understood as a dispute over state authority.\n\nAleksandar Malinov, the head of government, presses for action. The government decides to declare independence.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-480.171287ab.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-1280.171287ab.avif","w":1280}],"dominant":"#666666","h":715,"w":1280,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.webp","id":"asset.ind.proclamation-group","alt":"A group of men in military uniforms and formal clothes outdoors.","objectCaption":"Archival photograph from Tarnovo, 1908. It does not show the reading inside the church.","caption":"Archival photograph from Tarnovo, 1908. It does not show the reading inside the church.","kindLabel":"Archive","kind":"archive","visibleKind":"Archive","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Photographer not established · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"The photographer is not established. Source: Wikimedia Commons, credit БИА (Bulgarian Historical Archive). Commons states Public domain. Processed image. Archival photograph","attributionParts":[{"text":"The photographer is not established. Source: Wikimedia Commons, credit БИА (Bulgarian Historical Archive). Commons states Public domain. Processed image. Archival photograph","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferdinannd_at_Tzarevetz_1908.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":26.984916666666667,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.s3-railways","duration":27.093,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/s3-railways.b2237876.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.military"},{"id":"src.ind.bas2018"},{"id":"src.ind.berlin"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.s4-manifesto","number":5,"kind":"artifact","title":"Ferdinand reads the manifesto","body":"On 22 September 1908 in Bulgaria’s calendar of the time, Ferdinand reads the manifesto. This happens in the Holy Forty Martyrs Church in Tarnovo. A manifesto is a public address announcing an important decision. Bulgaria is proclaimed an independent kingdom. Ferdinand takes the title tsar, meaning the kingdom’s ruler.\n\nThen Malinov reads it to the people on Tsarevets hill.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-480.103c4028.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-1234.103c4028.avif","w":1234}],"dominant":"#dbd5bc","h":1959,"w":1234,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.webp","id":"asset.ind.manifesto","alt":"Printed sheet with a manifesto heading, the decision’s text and ministers’ names.","objectCaption":"This is a printed sheet. The story’s sources do not establish whether Ferdinand read from this exact sheet.","caption":"This is a printed sheet. The story’s sources do not establish whether Ferdinand read from this exact sheet.","kind":"archive","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Ferdinand I (text; not scanner) · Public domain · Bulgarian Archives State Agency, 143К/1/124/1; via Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Text: manifesto of Ferdinand I. Copy: Bulgarian Archives State Agency, fonds 143К, inventory 1, archival unit 124, sheet 1; via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Text: manifesto of Ferdinand I. Copy: Bulgarian Archives State Agency, fonds 143К, inventory 1, archival unit 124, sheet 1; via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BASA-143K-1-124-1-Bulgarian_Indipendence_Manifesto_1908.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"}],"hotspots":[{"id":"h-manifesto-heading","x":0.5,"y":0.1,"title":"Manifesto","body":"This is a printed sheet. The story’s sources do not establish whether Ferdinand read from this exact sheet.","sourceIds":["src.ind.photo.manifesto","src.ind.library"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h-manifesto-act","x":0.49,"y":0.65,"title":"Independent kingdom","body":"Here is the decision: united Bulgaria is proclaimed an independent kingdom.","sourceIds":["src.ind.photo.manifesto","src.ind.protocols"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h-manifesto-names","x":0.69,"y":0.88,"title":"Ferdinand and the ministers","body":"Below Ferdinand’s name are the ministers’ printed names, including Prime Minister Aleksandar Malinov.","sourceIds":["src.ind.photo.manifesto"],"certainty":"source_reported"}],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":25.17375,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.s4-manifesto","duration":25.301,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/s4-manifesto.a6e7bde7.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.military"},{"id":"src.ind.paprikov"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"},{"id":"src.ind.photo.manifesto"},{"id":"src.ind.library"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.a2-timeline","number":6,"kind":"activity","title":"Activity: put the decisions in order","body":"","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":{"id":"q.ind.timeline","kind":"sequence","prompt":"Put the events in order, earliest first.","sourceIds":["src.ind.berlin","src.ind.gov-history","src.ind.military","src.ind.protocols"],"items":[{"id":"ev-berlin","label":"Treaty of Berlin"},{"id":"ev-union","label":"Unification"},{"id":"ev-strike","label":"Railway strike"},{"id":"ev-proclamation","label":"Independence manifesto"}],"explanation":"The treaty precedes unification. The strike and takeover of the lines come before the manifesto is read.","correctOrderIds":["ev-berlin","ev-union","ev-strike","ev-proclamation"],"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.berlin"},{"id":"src.ind.gov-history"},{"id":"src.ind.military"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"}]},"audio":{"durationSeconds":3.347,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.a2-timeline","duration":3.456,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/a2-timeline.31cf86cc.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.berlin"},{"id":"src.ind.gov-history"},{"id":"src.ind.military"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.s5-press","number":7,"kind":"narrative","title":"Other states must respond","body":"The manifesto announces a decision, but cannot oblige other states to recognise it. Minister Stefan Paprikov informs foreign representatives and seeks support for the declared independence. The Ottoman government and the Great Powers do not recognise it immediately. Negotiations follow. Proclamation and international recognition are therefore different events.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-480.103c4028.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-1234.103c4028.avif","w":1234}],"dominant":"#dbd5bc","h":1959,"w":1234,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.webp","id":"asset.ind.manifesto","alt":"Printed sheet with a manifesto heading, the decision’s text and ministers’ names.","objectCaption":"This is a printed sheet. The story’s sources do not establish whether Ferdinand read from this exact sheet.","caption":"This is a printed sheet. The story’s sources do not establish whether Ferdinand read from this exact sheet.","kind":"archive","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Ferdinand I (text; not scanner) · Public domain · Bulgarian Archives State Agency, 143К/1/124/1; via Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Text: manifesto of Ferdinand I. Copy: Bulgarian Archives State Agency, fonds 143К, inventory 1, archival unit 124, sheet 1; via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Text: manifesto of Ferdinand I. Copy: Bulgarian Archives State Agency, fonds 143К, inventory 1, archival unit 124, sheet 1; via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BASA-143K-1-124-1-Bulgarian_Indipendence_Manifesto_1908.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":22.875,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.s5-press","duration":22.997,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/s5-press.ccc526c1.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.paprikov"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"},{"id":"src.ind.military"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.s6-recognition","number":8,"kind":"narrative","title":"Two states sign an agreement","body":"The Ottoman government and the Great Powers, the large influential states, do not immediately recognise independence. Negotiations follow.\n\nOn 6 April 1909 in the old calendar, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire sign a protocol: a written agreement. In the new calendar, the date is 19 April. Through it, the Ottoman government recognises Bulgaria’s independence. The document promises religious freedom and equal rights to Muslims, followers of Islam. The Great Powers also give recognition, as does the United States that year.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-front-480.0761198c.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-front-960.0761198c.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-front-1200.0761198c.avif","w":1200}],"dominant":"#394229","h":1600,"w":1200,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-front-960.0761198c.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-front-960.0761198c.webp","id":"asset.ind.cross-front","alt":"Cross with a ribbon and the inscription “22 September 1908” in the centre.","objectCaption":"Commemorative independence cross. It bears the date 22 September 1908. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","caption":"Commemorative independence cross. It bears the date 22 September 1908. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_front.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-480.f0213a73.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-960.f0213a73.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-1200.f0213a73.avif","w":1200}],"dominant":"#40513c","h":1600,"w":1200,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-960.f0213a73.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-960.f0213a73.webp","id":"asset.ind.cross-back","alt":"Cross with a ribbon and a standing lion in the centre.","objectCaption":"Memorial cross","caption":"Commemorative independence cross, opposite side. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. The story’s sources do not establish this specimen’s manufacture date. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_back.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":36.0175,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.s6-recognition","duration":36.139,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/s6-recognition.a9685931.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.protocols"},{"id":"src.ind.frus60"},{"id":"src.ind.frus62"},{"id":"src.ind.us-guide"},{"id":"src.ind.mfa-us"},{"id":"src.ind.photo.cross-front"},{"id":"src.ind.photo.cross-back"}]},{"id":"independence-1908.a3-matching","number":9,"kind":"activity","title":"Activity: person, document, object","body":"","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":{"id":"q.ind.matching","kind":"matching","prompt":"Match each person or object to its role in the story.","sourceIds":["src.ind.military","src.ind.protocols","src.ind.photo.cross-front"],"items":[{"id":"m-ferdinand","label":"Ferdinand","pairedLabel":"Reads in church; becomes tsar"},{"id":"m-malinov","label":"Aleksandar Malinov","pairedLabel":"Heads government; reads on Tsarevets"},{"id":"m-protocol","label":"Constantinople protocol of 1909","pairedLabel":"Settles Ottoman recognition of independence"},{"id":"m-cross","label":"Commemorative independence cross","pairedLabel":"Commemorates independence"}],"explanation":"Ferdinand and Malinov read in different places. The protocol settles recognition; the cross commemorates the event.","sources":[{"id":"src.ind.military"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"},{"id":"src.ind.photo.cross-front"}],"columns":["Item","Description"]},"audio":{"durationSeconds":4.043625,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.independence-1908.independence-1908.a3-matching","duration":4.139,"src":"/audio/en/independence-1908/a3-matching.71952b10.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.ind.military"},{"id":"src.ind.protocols"},{"id":"src.ind.photo.cross-front"}]}],"minutes":4,"sources":[{"year":2018,"url":"https://www.iki.bas.bg/Journals/EconomicThought/2018/2018-5/full_text.pdf","institutionOrAuthor":"Николай Гълъбов","id":"src.ind.bas2018","title":"Роля и развитие на обществения сектор в областта на транспортната инфраструктура на България (1879–1947 г.)","container":"Икономическа мисъл / Economic Thought, Institute for Economic Research, BAS","volume":"LXIII","issue":"5","pages":"73–98","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Railway takeover’s strategic/economic context. The author reports 82 million leva and 4.25% real interest, whereas the primary convention states francs and nominal 4.75%; record difference, do not silently equate rates."},"authors":["Николай Гълъбов"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","isPdf":true,"fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg","container":"bg"}},{"year":1878,"url":"https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1878/d523","institutionOrAuthor":"Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the Ottoman Empire; transmitted by Horace Maynard","id":"src.ind.berlin","title":"Treaty of Berlin, 13 July (English translation); enclosure to Maynard to Evarts, 28 September","container":"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Primary legal text: autonomous tributary principality under Sultan; national militia; election of prince; Eastern Rumelia and railway rights. Article XXV does not give a thirty-year occupation term for Bosnia."},"authors":["Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the Ottoman Empire; transmitted by Horace Maynard"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":1879,"url":"https://www.parliament.bg/pub/Konstitutsiya_1879.pdf","institutionOrAuthor":"Учредително народно събрание; Народно събрание на Република България (digital edition)","id":"src.ind.constitution","title":"Конституция на Българското княжество","container":"Народно събрание: История","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Constitutional monarchy, prince and popular representation in lawmaking; not evidence of full international sovereignty. Live HTML later timed out; corresponding official indexed text was inspected."},"authors":["Учредително народно събрание; Народно събрание на Република България (digital edition)"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","isPdf":true,"fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg","container":"bg"}},{"year":1909,"url":"https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1909/d60","institutionOrAuthor":"Norman Hutchinson","id":"src.ind.frus60","title":"Chargé Hutchinson to the Secretary of State, 30 April","container":"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States","pages":"45","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Reports Ottoman recognition in protocol signed April 19 and request for American recognition; reports Bulgarian minister’s statement that all great European powers had already recognised."},"authors":["Norman Hutchinson"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":1909,"url":"https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1909/d62","institutionOrAuthor":"Philander C. Knox, U.S. Department of State","id":"src.ind.frus62","title":"The Secretary of State to Chargé Hutchinson, 3 May","container":"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States","pages":"45–46","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Contemporary U.S. instruction to congratulate Ferdinand on admission to the community of sovereign independent states."},"authors":["Philander C. Knox, U.S. Department of State"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://gov.bg/index.php/en/About-Bulgaria/HISTORY/tabsss1","institutionOrAuthor":"Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria","id":"src.ind.gov-history","title":"History","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Unification on 6 September 1885; independence on 22 September 1908; Ferdinand takes title tsar."},"authors":["Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","container":""},{"year":null,"url":"https://www.libsofia.bg/library_collection/22/22-septemvri-den-na-nezavisimostta-na-blgariya","institutionOrAuthor":"Столична библиотека","id":"src.ind.library","title":"22 септември – Ден на независимостта на България","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Digital copy of manifesto published in Държавен вестник, no. 208, 22 September 1908. Not proof that the Commons broadside is the exact paper read aloud."},"authors":["Столична библиотека"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg"},"container":""},{"year":null,"url":"https://www.mfa.bg/bg/3165","institutionOrAuthor":"Министерство на външните работи на Република България","id":"src.ind.mfa-us","title":"Съединени американски щати (САЩ)","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"U.S. recognition on 3 May 1909; independent institutional cross-check."},"authors":["Министерство на външните работи на Република България"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg"},"container":""},{"year":null,"url":"https://militarymuseum.bg/ekspozitsii/hronologichna/obyavyavane-na-nezavisimostta-na-balgariya-1908-g/","institutionOrAuthor":"Национален военноисторически музей","id":"src.ind.military","title":"Обявяване на независимостта на България – 1908 г.","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Young Turk revolution; Geshov incident; railway strike/takeover; Malinov government; Ferdinand reads manifesto in church and Malinov later on Tsarevets; initially withheld recognition. Do not repeat its unsupported thirty-year Bosnia term."},"authors":["Национален военноисторически музей"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg"},"container":""},{"year":1908,"url":"https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1908/d45","institutionOrAuthor":"Стефан Паприков; Horace G. Knowles (forwarding dispatch)","id":"src.ind.paprikov","title":"The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Minister Knowles, Tirnovo, 5 October; enclosure to Knowles to the Secretary of State, 6 October","container":"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Contemporary official notification; explicitly Monday September 22 (October 5); North and South Bulgaria independent monarchy; request for support and approval."},"authors":["Стефан Паприков; Horace G. Knowles (forwarding dispatch)"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_Forty_Martyrs_Church,_Veliko_Tarnovo.jpg","institutionOrAuthor":"Powerfox","id":"src.ind.photo.church-2016","title":"File:Holy Forty Martyrs Church, Veliko Tarnovo.jpg","container":"Wikimedia Commons","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Asset identification, visible details and photograph/scan reuse rights; not independent historical corroboration. A view after the restoration completed in 2006. It does not reproduce the exact setting of 1908."},"authors":["Powerfox"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_back.jpg","institutionOrAuthor":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia","id":"src.ind.photo.cross-back","title":"File:Bulgarian Commemorative Cross of the Independence of Bulgaria 1909 back.jpg","container":"Wikimedia Commons","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Opposite face of museum cross, lion side, photographed 23 October 2010. Commons gives 1909; specimen’s manufacture date not independently established."},"authors":["Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_front.jpg","institutionOrAuthor":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia","id":"src.ind.photo.cross-front","title":"File:Bulgarian Commemorative Cross of the Independence of Bulgaria 1909 front.jpg","container":"Wikimedia Commons","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Cross with visible commemorated date 22 September 1908; photographed 23 October 2010 at Vratsa Regional History Museum. Commons describes a decoration of 1909; this is not independent evidence of institution or this specimen’s manufacture date."},"authors":["Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BASA-143K-1-124-1-Bulgarian_Indipendence_Manifesto_1908.jpg","institutionOrAuthor":"Ferdinand I (text); Bulgarian Archives State Agency (digital copy)","id":"src.ind.photo.manifesto","title":"File:BASA-143K-1-124-1-Bulgarian Indipendence Manifesto 1908.jpg","container":"Wikimedia Commons","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Asset identification, visible details and photograph/scan reuse rights; not independent historical corroboration. This has not been established as the sheet read in the church."},"authors":["Ferdinand I (text); Bulgarian Archives State Agency (digital copy)"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":1909,"url":"https://mjp.univ-perp.fr/constit/bg1908.htm","institutionOrAuthor":"Russian, Ottoman and Bulgarian governments; Jean-Pierre Maury (digital compilation)","id":"src.ind.protocols","title":"Indépendance de la Bulgarie, 1908: proclamation et protocoles","container":"Digithèque de matériaux juridiques et politiques, Université de Perpignan (online edition ©2010)","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Digitised primary texts: Russia cancels specified Ottoman war indemnity instalments; Bulgarian debt to Russia; Ottoman recognition; Muslim civil/religious rights. Host HTML fetched directly successfully; browser fetch returned 502. Publisher identifies source as Annuaires de 1908 et 1909 without fuller edition data."},"authors":["Russian, Ottoman and Bulgarian governments; Jean-Pierre Maury (digital compilation)"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://www.veliko-tarnovo.bg/bg/novini/darzhavata-dava-sv-chetirideset-machenitsi-na-obshtina-veliko-tarnovo","institutionOrAuthor":"Община Велико Търново","id":"src.ind.rebuild","title":"Държавата предоставя църквата „Св. Четиридесет мъченици“","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Church restoration and reopening in 2006; modern photo is post-restoration evidence, not an unchanged 1908 interior. No practical visitor details used."},"authors":["Община Велико Търново"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg"},"container":""},{"year":null,"url":"https://history.state.gov/countries/bulgaria","institutionOrAuthor":"Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State","id":"src.ind.us-guide","title":"A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Bulgaria","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Recognition on 3 May 1909; proclamation dated 5 October 1908 Gregorian."},"authors":["Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","container":""}],"credits":[{"id":"asset.ind.cross-back-cutout","src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.webp","alt":"Cut-out detail; background removed. Cross with a ribbon and a standing lion in the centre.","w":1211,"h":2316,"caption":"Commemorative independence cross, opposite side. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. The story’s sources do not establish this specimen’s manufacture date. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_back.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.ind.proclamation-group","src":"/media/asset-ind-proclamation-group-960.171287ab.webp","alt":"A group of men in military uniforms and formal clothes outdoors.","w":1280,"h":715,"caption":"Archival photograph from Tarnovo, 1908. It does not show the reading inside the church.","kindLabel":"Archive","visibleKind":"Archive","credit":"Photographer not established · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"The photographer is not established. Source: Wikimedia Commons, credit БИА (Bulgarian Historical Archive). Commons states Public domain. Processed image. Archival photograph","attributionParts":[{"text":"The photographer is not established. Source: Wikimedia Commons, credit БИА (Bulgarian Historical Archive). Commons states Public domain. Processed image. Archival photograph","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferdinannd_at_Tzarevetz_1908.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.ind.church-2016","src":"/media/asset-ind-church-2016-960.b295a053.webp","alt":"Interior of the Holy Forty Martyrs Church with stone columns.","w":1600,"h":1200,"caption":"Interior in 2016, after the church’s restoration in 2006. The photograph does not reproduce the exact setting of 1908.","credit":"Powerfox · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Powerfox, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Powerfox, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_Forty_Martyrs_Church,_Veliko_Tarnovo.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.ind.manifesto","src":"/media/asset-ind-manifesto-960.103c4028.webp","alt":"Printed sheet with a manifesto heading, the decision’s text and ministers’ names.","w":1234,"h":1959,"caption":"This is a printed sheet. The story’s sources do not establish whether Ferdinand read from this exact sheet.","credit":"Ferdinand I (text; not scanner) · Public domain · Bulgarian Archives State Agency, 143К/1/124/1; via Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Text: manifesto of Ferdinand I. Copy: Bulgarian Archives State Agency, fonds 143К, inventory 1, archival unit 124, sheet 1; via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Text: manifesto of Ferdinand I. Copy: Bulgarian Archives State Agency, fonds 143К, inventory 1, archival unit 124, sheet 1; via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BASA-143K-1-124-1-Bulgarian_Indipendence_Manifesto_1908.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.ind.cross-front","src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-front-960.0761198c.webp","alt":"Cross with a ribbon and the inscription “22 September 1908” in the centre.","w":1200,"h":1600,"caption":"Commemorative independence cross. It bears the date 22 September 1908. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_front.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.ind.cross-back","src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-960.f0213a73.webp","alt":"Cross with a ribbon and a standing lion in the centre.","w":1200,"h":1600,"caption":"Commemorative independence cross, opposite side. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. The story’s sources do not establish this specimen’s manufacture date. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_back.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"map-relief","src":"/assets/maps/relief@3x.jpg?v=075869a7dd","thumb":"/media/map/map-relief-2x-1024.4c826249.avif","alt":"Geographic context, without historical borders","w":3072,"h":1987,"caption":"","kindLabel":"Geographic context, without historical borders","visibleKind":"Geographic context, without historical borders","credit":"Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso","attributionParts":null,"sourceUrl":"https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10m-raster-data/10m-gray-earth/","licenseUrl":"https://www.naturalearthdata.com/about/terms-of-use/","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}}],"places":[{"note":"Tarnovo — the manifesto will be read here.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.ind.church","name":"Holy Forty Martyrs Church","short":"Tarnovo","latitude":43.084444,"longitude":25.65,"accuracy":"approximate","radiusMeters":50,"sourceIds":["src.ind.coordinates-church","src.ind.military","src.ias.coord.church","src.ias.museum-church"],"guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/holy-forty-martyrs-church/","slug":"ind.church","url":"/en/map/#ind.church"},{"note":"Constantinople, now Istanbul, was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.asp.constantinople","name":"Constantinople","latitude":41.01224,"longitude":28.976018055555553,"accuracy":"approximate","radiusMeters":5000,"sourceIds":["src.asp.coord.constantinople","src.asp.council681","src.asp.todorovski2024","src.sim.coordinates.constantinople","src.sim.leszka2011","src.ind.coordinates-istanbul","src.ind.protocols","src.bor.coordinates-constantinople","src.kal.coordinates.constantinople"],"guideUrl":null,"slug":"asp.constantinople","url":"/en/map/#asp.constantinople"}],"find":null,"next":[{"storyId":"story.balchik-palace","title":"Why did Marie’s house change countries?","topic":"Balchik","eyebrow":"Balchik","url":"/en/stories/balchik-palace/","reason":"See how people lived and worked in another period.","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-bal-chapel-cutout-480.13f7c019.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-bal-chapel-cutout-960.13f7c019.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-bal-chapel-cutout-1562.13f7c019.avif","w":1562}],"dominant":"#917b66","h":1377,"w":1562,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-bal-chapel-cutout-960.13f7c019.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-bal-chapel-cutout-960.13f7c019.webp","id":"asset.bal.chapel-cutout","alt":"Cut-out detail; background removed. Stella Maris is a chapel: a small church in the residence. The photograph dates from 2009. According to the Romanian catalogue, Marie’s heart was kept here in 1938–1940.","objectCaption":"Chapel","caption":"Stella Maris is a chapel: a small church in the residence. The photograph dates from 2009. According to the Romanian catalogue, Marie’s heart was kept here in 1938–1940.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Izvora · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Izvora, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Unmodified. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Izvora, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Unmodified. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Balchik_Palace_25.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:PD-self"},"minutes":4,"sceneCount":9},{"storyId":"story.georgi-ivanov-1979","title":"Into orbit, without docking","topic":"Georgi Ivanov","eyebrow":"Georgi Ivanov · Baikonur","url":"/en/stories/georgi-ivanov-1979/","reason":"","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-cosmos-capsule-cutout-480.e61f7ab3.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-cosmos-capsule-cutout-960.e61f7ab3.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-cosmos-capsule-cutout-1600.e61f7ab3.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#66584e","h":1781,"w":1618,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-cosmos-capsule-cutout-960.e61f7ab3.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-cosmos-capsule-cutout-960.e61f7ab3.webp","id":"asset.cosmos.capsule-cutout","alt":"A spacecraft descent capsule in a museum, isolated from the photograph.","objectCaption":"Soyuz 33 capsule","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Scroch · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Scroch / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Scroch / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Soyuz_33_descent_module.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0"},"minutes":5,"sceneCount":9},{"storyId":"story.madara-rider","title":"The rider above the path","topic":"Madara Rider","eyebrow":"Madara Rider · Madara","url":"/en/stories/madara-rider/","reason":"","image":{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-madara-relief-main-480.569987f2.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-madara-relief-main-960.569987f2.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-madara-relief-main-1600.569987f2.avif","w":1600},{"src":"/media/asset-madara-relief-main-2400.569987f2.avif","w":2400}],"dominant":"#89847e","h":1600,"w":2400,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-madara-relief-main-960.569987f2.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-madara-relief-main-960.569987f2.webp","id":"asset.madara.relief.main","alt":"Rider, dog behind the horse and lion beneath the forelegs; inscription lines appear above.","objectCaption":"Madara Rider","caption":"Rider, dog behind the horse and lion beneath the forelegs; inscription lines appear above.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Diego Delso, [delso.photo](https://delso.photo), Wikimedia Commons, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Diego Delso, [delso.photo](https://delso.photo), Wikimedia Commons, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caballero_de_Madara,_reserva_hist%C3%B3rico-arqueol%C3%B3gica_Nacional_de_Madara,_Bulgaria,_2016-05-27,_DD_38.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0"},"minutes":5,"sceneCount":9}],"people":[{"id":"person.ferdinand-i","name":"Ferdinand I","url":"/en/people/ferdinand-i/"},{"id":"person.malinov","name":"Aleksandar Malinov","url":"/en/people/malinov/"},{"id":"person.ivan-stefanov-geshov","name":"Ivan Stefanov Geshov","url":"/en/people/ivan-stefanov-geshov/"},{"id":"person.stefan-paprikov","name":"Stefan Paprikov","url":"/en/people/stefan-paprikov/"}],"rulers":[{"id":"ruler.ferdinand-i","name":"Ferdinand I","url":"/en/rulers/ferdinand-i/"}],"status":"draft","fact":{"id":"fact.discover.independence-1908","storyId":"story.independence-1908","factId":"F01","text":"The 1878 Treaty of Berlin establishes an autonomous, tributary Bulgarian principality under the Sultan’s suzerainty.","sourceIds":["src.ind.berlin"]},"collectionFind":{"number":44,"total":59,"title":"Memorial cross","dateLabel":"Date not specified","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-480.acaef7d7.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-1211.acaef7d7.avif","w":1211}],"dominant":"#ad8067","h":2316,"w":1211,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-ind-cross-back-cutout-960.acaef7d7.webp","id":"asset.ind.cross-back-cutout","alt":"Cut-out detail; background removed. Cross with a ribbon and a standing lion in the centre.","objectCaption":"Memorial cross","caption":"Commemorative independence cross, opposite side. Commons describes it as a decoration of 1909. The story’s sources do not establish this specimen’s manufacture date. Photographed in 2010 at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Photo: Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Vassia Atanassova – Spiritia, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Commemorative_Cross_of_the_Independence_of_Bulgaria_1909_back.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Public_domain"}},"ui":{"web.learnPromo":"Read these stories in Bulgarian — learn the language","web.travelPromo":"Visit this place — Travel Guide Bulgaria","web.autoAdvance":"Auto-advance to the next scene","web.repeatActivities":"Repeat activities","web.shortcuts":"Keyboard shortcuts","web.sceneNavigation":"Previous / next scene","web.findCount":"Found {count} of {total}","web.resumeNarration":"Resume {time}","web.activityLabel":"Activity","web.skippedActivities":"Activities · {count} — start","web.placesCount":"places: {count}","web.moreAnswers":"More answers below","web.playerSceneOf":"Scene {scene} of {total}: {title}","web.closeStory":"Close story","web.imageFit":"Show the whole image","web.activityOf":"Activity · {scene} of {total}","web.activityMoved":"Moved to position {scene} of {total}","web.activityIncomplete":"Connect all pairs","web.seekTen":"Back / forward 10 seconds","web.activityFromScene":"From scene {scene}","web.nextStory":"Next story","web.transcriptRevised":"text revised","action.close":"Close","action.next":"Next","action.retry":"Retry","activity.check":"Check","answer.correct":"Correct","answer.incorrect":"Not quite","audio.backTen":"Back 10 seconds","audio.pause":"Pause","audio.play":"Play narration","audio.seek":"Narration position","audio.speed":"Narration speed","audio.synthetic":"Synthetic voice","audio.unavailable":"Audio is unavailable. The text is here.","bookmark.add":"Save story","bookmark.inSaved":"In Saved","bookmark.remove":"Remove saved story","bookmark.removed":"Bookmark removed","credit.title":"Images","discover.audioMinutes %lld":"%lld min","discover.mapLabel":"Geographic context, without historical borders","player.approximate":"Approximate location","player.back":"Back","player.completed":"A new find for your collection","player.counter %lld %lld":"%1$lld / %2$lld","player.details %lld":"Details (%lld)","player.explanation":"Why is that?","player.finish":"Finish","player.firstCorrect":"✓ Correct on the first attempt","player.firstOther":"The first attempt is recorded. Retrying is practice.","player.interpretation":"Interpretation","player.matchHint":"Tap a term on the left, then a meaning on the right. Tap a connected item to undo.","player.moveDown":"Move down","player.moveUp":"Move up","player.nextDetail":"Next detail","player.previousDetail":"Previous detail","player.related":"Related stories","player.scene %lld":"Part %lld","player.sequenceHint":"Arrange from oldest to newest.","player.showAll":"Show all","player.skip":"Skip","player.sources %lld":"Sources · %lld","player.summary %lld %lld":"Activities: %1$lld of %2$lld correct on the first attempt","player.unpair":"Disconnect pair","player.vitrine":"Go to finds","sources.title":"Sources","story.listen":"Listen","story.sceneCount %lld":{"one":"%lld scene","other":"%lld scenes"},"story.start":"Start","answer.chosen":"Your answer","answer.skipped":"Activity skipped","answer.revealed":"Answer revealed","answer.correctOrder":"Correct order","answer.correctPairs":"Correct pairs","answer.yours.correct":"Your answer · correct","answer.yours.incorrect":"Your answer · incorrect","audio.stop":"Stop listening","Search.search.group.places":"Places","Atlas.zoomIn":"Zoom in","Atlas.zoomOut":"Zoom out"},"promos":{"learn":{"icon":"/media/promo/learn-160.webp","name":"Learn Bulgarian","url":"https://bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/learn-bulgarian/"},"travel":{"icon":"/media/promo/travel-160.webp","name":"Travel Guide Bulgaria","url":"https://bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/travel-guide-bulgaria/"}}}