January 1 Нова година New Year's Day Public holiday; the night before is celebrated with family and fireworks. March 1 Баба Марта Baba Marta Celebrated by giving red and white yarn for health and happiness. March 3 Национален празник Liberation Day Marks the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878. Spring, date varies Великден Easter Orthodox Easter, the biggest church holiday. People dye eggs and greet each other with "Христос воскресе!", answered "Воистина воскресе!". Good Friday to Easter Monday are days off. May 1 Ден на труда Labor Day Celebrates workers and labor rights. May 6 Гергьовден St George's Day Also the Day of Bravery and of the Bulgarian Army. Traditionally lamb is eaten. May 24 Ден на славянската писменост Day of Slavonic Alphabet Honors the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet by Saints Cyril and Methodius. September 6 Ден на Съединението Unification Day Celebrates the unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 1885. September 22 Ден на независимостта Independence Day Marks Bulgaria's declaration of independence from Ottoman rule in 1908. November 1 Ден на народните будители Day of the People's Awakeners Celebrates Bulgarian educators, writers, and revolutionaries. December 24 Бъдни вечер Christmas Eve Family dinner with an odd number of meatless dishes and a round bread (пита) with a coin hidden in it. December 25 and 26 Рождество Христово Christmas Day Celebrated with traditional meals and customs. 