On April 22nd 1876 (old style), the Bulgarian freedom was announced in Panagyurishte and the flag sewn by Rayna Knyaginya was blessed.

The April Uprising itself began on April 20th. This insurrection is often regarded as the pinnacle of the Bulgarian struggle for national independence. The goal of the uprising was to free Bulgaria from the several centuries of Ottoman slavery.

The April Uprising had to be prepared in under two months, which is the cause for it’s flaws of organization and ultimate failure.