Day of Victory and Domestic Gratitude in Croatia (05/08)

Every year on August 5, Croatia celebrates the Day of Victory and Domestic Gratitude (Croatian). Dan pobjede I domovinske zahvalnosti, and since 2008 — and Croatian Defenders Day (Croatian). Dan hrvatskih branitelja). It was installed to commemorate the victory in the war in 1991—1995.

On this day in 1995, during the military operation «Storm» (Operation Storm), the Croatian army entered Knin —, the capital of the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina.

Two days later, Operation «Storm» was completely completed and became the largest offensive operation in Europe since World War II. During the operation, 2 thousand were killed and 250 thousand Serbs were expelled. Only a small number of them returned to their homeland. Croats call this day a victory in the Patriotic War.

The Croatian side believes that during «Buri» the occupied Croatian territories were liberated, and Operation — itself was a key action of the domestic war.

The Serbs consider Operation «Storm» an act of ethnic cleansing and say that American military strategists, although they officially criticized ethnic cleansing, provided assistance to the Croats. This was confirmed by a retired American general, then deputy commander of NATO troops Charles Boyd.

On this day, various ceremonial events are held throughout the country with the raising of the national flag and the laying of flowers at memorable places, as well as many festive concerts and folk festivals.

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