After a Romanian MP submitted a proposal to Parliament asking to change Romania's National Day from December 1 to May 10, the idea seems to be slowly gaining ground. But while the National Liberal Party MP George Știrbu proposed changing the national day, saying Romania is the only country in Europe which does not celebrate its state independence on its National Day, others have a more moderate approach. Head of PNL Crin Antonescu, who is also leading the commission tasked with changing the Constitution, said he'd support adding May 10 as a national holiday.

May 10 was Romania's National Day until 1947, when kind Michael I abdicated. On May 10, 1877, Romania declared its independence. Also on May 10, 1881, prince Carol became Kind Carol I, thus the day also became the King's Day.

December 1 became Romania's National Day in 1990, after the fall of the Communism. December 1 marks Romania's union, which happened in 1918. Until 1989, the Communist regime celebrated the National Day on August 23, to mark the overthrow of the pro-fascist government of Marshal Ion Antonescu in 1944.

editor@romania-insider.com