Today, the 25th of June, is one of the most important days on the Croatian calendar – Statehood Day. Every year on the 25th of June the country celebrates the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Statehood Day is officially a public holiday.

After the independence referendum held on 19 May 1991, the Croatian Parliament formally proclaimed independence with the Constitutional decision on sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Croatia.

The Statehood Day originally used to be 30 May, marking the day when in 1990 the first post-Communist multi-party Parliament was constituted. There was some controversy in the public regarding which date is more suitable for the day of the statehood. Since 2002, 25 June has prevailed as the Statehood Day, and 30 May is marked a minor holiday, one that is not an off-day.

Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia at the same time, and its Statehood Day coincides with the Croatian Statehood Day, on 25 June.