On December 1st, Romania celebrates the National Holiday or Great Union Day (Ziua Marii Uniri), with military parades and public speeches given by national leaders in cities such as Bucharest and Alba Iulia (the “union city”). The Romanian flag is flown on National Day. The national flag is tricolor – symbolizing the three Romanian provinces: blue (Transylvania), yellow (Wallachia) and red (Moldova) – arranged in vertical bands of equal size. The national anthem “Deşteaptă-te, române!” (Awaken thee, Romanian!) is also performed. The anthem is a symbol of unity, courage, and patriotism among Romanians.
This date marks the country’s unification in 1918 and the formation of the Romanian state within its present-day boundaries.
Romania’s full independence had been recognized in 1878 but it was not until December 1, 1918 in the city of Alba Iulia, when Romania – made of Moldova and Wallachia at the time – was united with Transylvania, Crisana, Banat and the Maramures area.
National Day has been celebrated in Romania on December 1st since 1990, after the fall of the Romanian Communist Party.
Leave a Reply