On 12th of March in Bulgarian Parliament was passed the Law on the introduction of the Gragorian calendar in Bulgaria. The Law was published on 21 March and then put into action. In 00.00 o`clock of March 31, 1916 Bulgaria passes from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and instead April 1 occurs April 14.
The events surrounding the Gregorian calendar, however, date back quite a long time ago. On 24 February 1582 Pope Gregory XIII decreed a papal bull, according to which 10 days will be dropped when switching to the Gregorian Calendar. This way the new Gregorian calendar took the place of the current Julian calendar.
However, many countries used the Julian Calendar much longer. Spain, Portugal, Poland, France and other countries adopt it immediately. England and other Protestant countries impose it in the XVIII century and the Orthodox countries - at the beginning of the XX century.
Over the time Julian calendar recedes from Gregorian, because it has more leap years. Depending on when an event happened, it is noted as "old style" (Julian calendar) and to repair a "new style", are added different number of days. For the period 1582-1700, they are 10; for the time from 1700 to 1800 – 11 days; from 1800 to 1900 - 12, and after 1900 - 13 days.
After the inclusion of Bulgaria in the World War I the question of the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in Bulgaria was placed on the agenda. On 26 February 1916 the Government of Dr. Vasil Radoslavov placed in the National Assembly a bill to change the calendar. The bill was discussed at first reading in plenary on 9 and 10 of March. The reasons for the introduction highlight the advantages of the Gregorian calendar and the commitment of Bulgaria with the countries of Western and Central Europe who have long used it. On March 12, 1916 on second reading, with minor adjustments, the Law on the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in Bulgaria was voted in parliament. It was published on March 21 and then brought into action.
In 00.00 o`clock on March 31, 1916 Bulgaria passes from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and instead April 1, occurs April 14. In the next morning all daily newspapers go with the new date.
Bulgarian Orthodox Church, however, still followed the Julian calendar. In 1968 it goes to the Gregorian together with Romanian and Greek Orthodox Church. But Easter cycle and the church holidays still follow the old calendar.
