Romania’s National Day 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 since 1990, after the fall of the
Romanian Communist Party.
December 1 is a free day in the country and in capital
Bucharest it is usually celebrated with a military parade. Elsewhere in the
country, various events are organized, commemorating the Romanians who died
during the First World War. In recent years, various city halls have organized
concerts to celebrate the day, turning this more into a popular celebration.