5th October: Bulgaria Independence Day

Bulgaria Independence Day is today, so here are ten things you might not know about Bulgaria:

1. Bulgaria was first established in 681AD and has not changed its name once, making it the oldest country in Europe never to have changed its name.
2. The Cyrillic alphabet was used in Bulgaria before the Russians adopted it. In fact, it was invented in Bulgaria by two monks, Cyril and Methodius, who were born in the 9th century.
3. Bulgarians, and people of Bulgarian descent, have created a number of useful things especially in the field of computing. Computers themselves owe their existence to John Atanasoff, a scientist of Bulgarian descent, who, together with Clifford Berry, an American inventor working for the University of Iowa, designed and developed the first electronic digital computing device around the late 1930s. The first digital wristwatch was invented by Peter Petrov. Assen Jordanoff, one of the inventors of the airbag, was also of Bulgarian descent. Finally, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg is of Bulgarian descent. His grandfather, Marko, emigrated from Bulgaria in 1940.
4. Bulgaria is one of only two countries who stood up to the Nazis during the Holocaust and refused to allow their Jewish populations to be deported to concentration camps. The other was Denmark.
5. Bulgaria is famous for its Yoghurt. The Lactobacillus bulgaricus bacteria used to make it is only found in Bulgaria.
6. If we're ever visited by aliens, they might speak some Bulgarian, since one of the examples of Earth music sent into space on the Voyager probe is a Bulgarian folk song: Izlel e Delyu Haydutin (Delyo the Outlaw Has to Go Outside)by the Bulgarian folk music singer Valya Balkanska.
7. While on the subject of music, Bulgaria's national instrument is a type of bagpipe called the gaida, usually made from sheep or goat hide. In May 2012, 333 Bulgarian bagpipe players played a 9-minute medley of folk songs, setting a world record in bagpipe performance recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.
8. Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was founded 7000 years ago. This makes it the second oldest city in Europe.
9. The legendary hero Spartacus was born in Bulgaria, which was once home of the Thracians.
10. Shopska is the country's national dish, a salad is made from diced garden Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Onions, raw or roasted peppers, and topped with a sprinkling of Bulgarian white brine Cheese. The dish is often decorated with parsley and a light dressing of sunflower oil and red wine vinegar. It is often served at the start of a meal along with the national drink, Rakia, which is made from fermented fruit: Pears, Plums, Grapes, Peaches, Apricots, or mixed fruits. Rakia is very alcoholic: when produced by a distillery about 40% but if it's home made, it can be as high as 80% or more.