Observed by Croatia Date 5 August | Significance Operation Storm Frequency annual | |
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Official name Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja Next time 5 August 2017 (2017-08-05) | ||
Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders (Croatian: Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja) is a public holiday in Croatia which is held as a memorial to its War of Independence, celebrated on August 5. On that date in 1995 the Croatian Army took the city of Knin during Operation Storm, which brought an end to the Republic of Serbian Krajina, a self-proclaimed Serb entity in Croatia.
The main celebration is centered in Knin where there are festivities commemorating the event, beginning with a Mass and laying of wreaths in honor of those who died in the war, and continuing with parades and concerts. The event is attended by thousands of people and the highest powers in Croatia. The Croatian flag on the Knin fortress is ceremonially raised as part of the celebrations.
In 2008, the Parliament also assigned the name Day of the Croatian Defenders (Croatian: Dan hrvatskih branitelja) to the holiday, therefore this day also honors the serving men and women and veterans of the Republic of Croatia Armed Forces. A special Military parade of the Croatian Armed Forces in honor of Victory day was held on August 4, 2015 in Zagreb, celebrating the 20th anniversary of liberation of Croatia.