Statehood Day marked in Serbia

February 15 is marked as the anniversary of the uprising against the Ottoman authorities in Serbia led by Karadjordje Petrovic. It is also the date that the first constitution of Serbia was adopted in 1835 on the day that the Serbian Orthodox Church marks Sretenje (candlemas) during the rule of Prince Milos Obrenovic.

The central ceremony is held in the town of Orasac where the uprising began in 1804 with a wreath laying ceremony and at Oplenac outside the town of Topola where Karadjordje and his descendants in the Karadjordjevic royal dynasty were buried. In a separate ceremony, President Aleksandar Vucic presented decorations to a number of people for contributions to the state and society. A wreath will also be laid at the monument of the unknown soldier on Mt Avala outside Belgrade.