Belgrade, the city of turbulent history, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It has 7,000 year-long history. The space around the Sava and the Danube was already inhabited in the Paleolithic Age. The remains of human bones and skulls of the Neanderthals that were found in a quarry near Leštane, in a cave at Čukarica and near Bajloni Green Market date back to the Old Stone Age.
The remains of the Early Stone Age culture were found in Vinča, Žarkovo and the Upper Town, above the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. This is an indicator that the area of Belgrade was continuously inhabited and that the intensity of those settlements was growing stronger. Many today’s settlements in Belgrade area lie on cultural layers of early prehistoric settlements.
Vinča, near Belgrade, is one of the most significant settlements and cultural sites of prehistoric period. Archeological excavations at Rospi Ćuprija, the Upper Town, Karaburma, Zemun and Vinča confirm the assumptions that Belgrade area was intensely inhabited and that its population was engaged in plowing farming and other accompanying agricultural activities. In these locations were discovered necropolises of the Bronze and the Metal Age, as well as evidence of various cultural influences.
Singidunum, as a fortified settlement, was first mentioned in 279 B.C.
Around 600 B.C. Thracian-Cimmerian and the Scythian tribes moved across this area, while Celtic tribes crossed this area in the 3rd century B.C. The founding of Singidunum is attributed to the Celtic tribe, the Scordiscs, which is as a fortified settlement first mentioned in 279 B.C. The first part of the word singi means ‘round’ аnd dunum means ‘fortress’ or ‘town’. It is possible that the name originates from the name of the Thracian tribe, the Sings, which was settled in this area at the time of the arrival of the Celts. There are practically no traces of that Celtic city, except that in Karaburma and Rospi Ćuprija were found necropolises with artefacts that belonged to warriors of the Scordiscan tribe. Significant Celtic cultural influences are woven into the spiritual culture of the population of Singidunum, which partly were transferred and mixed with Roman-Ancient cultural elements.
The Romans conquered Belgrade at the beginning of the 1st century and was under their rule for four centuries. Soldiers of the Legions of Moesia made the first Roman military crew in Singidunum. Graves in the shape of a well, found at Trg Republike and other places in the city, date from this period. Besides Singidunum, today’s Zemun, Taurunum, was part of the Roman Empire. Both cities became significant military strongholds on the fortified Roman border – ‘the Limes’.
Singidunum had its largest boom in 86 A.D. with the arrival of Legio IV Flavia. At that time, the first stone fortress was constructed in the Upper Town, whose fragments can still be seen. That castrum was square-shaped and it covered the area of the today’s Upper Town on Kalemegdan. The appearance of Taurunum (Zemun) from that time is less known and it was probably located at the today’s Lower Town. As a significant Roman military camp, Singidunum acquired city rights in the 2nd century during Emperor Hadrian. His military significance increased more in the 3rd century, when Emperor Aurelius left Dacia, and Moesia Superior got new borders alongside the right bank of the Danube. At the time, Singidunum was the centre of the Christian Episcopate. Roman Emperor Flavius Claudius Jovianus was later born in Singidunum.
Along with the military camp, the Romans populated veterans of their legions so as to secure their border even more. Therefore, a large settlement, which had rectilinear base with streets intersecting at right angles, was formed in time. Some bases of these urban elements are kept nowadays, which can be seen by the position of Uzun Mirkova Street, Dušanova Street and Kralja Petra I Street. Such rectangular shape was also kept in Studentski trg (former Roman Forum with baths, discovered thirty years ago).
There was a bridge across the River Sava connecting Singidunum and Taurunum, which was one of the most significant Roman roads. Therefore, Singidunum became an important road junction for the Roman provinces of Moesia, Dacia, Pannonia and Dalmatia. The military road - Via militaris, going from the west to the east, across Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica), Singidunum and Viminacium (Kostolac) to Byzantium, was secured by fortifications. Such fortifications were located on the today’s territory of Belgrade, such as for example: Mutatio ad Sehtum (Mali Mokri Lug), Castra Tricornia (Ritopek), Mutatio ad Sehtum Militare (Grocka) and others. The road connecting mine settlements of that time at Avala, Kosmaj and Rudnik was also significant. More significant traces of material culture (graves, sculptures, ceramics, and money) were found in many villages in the area of Belgrade.
With division of the Roman Empire into the Eastern and the Western in 395 A.D. Singidunum became a border city within Byzantium. Such new position of the city determined its further destiny because not only did it become the link between different cultural influences, but primarily, a traffic and strategic key to the Byzantine Empire.
The Slavic name of Belgrade was first mentioned in a letter of Pope John VIII in 878 A.D.
Disintegration of the Roman Empire was followed by an invasion of the Barbarian people: the Eastern Goths, the Gepids, the Sarmatians, the Avars, the Slavs and others. Due to its protruding position on the Limes border, Belgrade was often a target of attack and destruction. Attacks from the north across the Pannonian Plain, the Danube and the Sava, were so strong that not even Singidunum, as an important military fortification, could resist. Therefore, the Huns conquered and completely destroyed it in 441. The city lost its Roman population. After the fall of the Huns, the city was again part of the Byzantium in 454, but it was soon conquered by the Sarmatians and later by the Eastern Goths. Already in 488 it was again the Byzantine city.
In the early 6th century (512), Byzantine Emperor Anastasius populated the Germanic tribe, the Heruli, in his immediate vicinity so as to be defended by them from the warlike Gepids. In ruins of an early Roman city, on the west side of the Lower Town, were found traces of material culture of the Germans. During the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, in 535, the city was reconstructed and surrounded by mighty ramparts. So, Singidunum again became a great and praiseworthy city. Apparently, the city was for the first time connected to Taurunum on the opposite shore.
At the end of 6th century, while the Byzantines were engaged in wars in Africa and Asia, Mongol tribes of the Avars appeared in front of the walls of Singidunum, and later first Slavic groups. After two sieges, the Avars and the Slavs conquered the city. There are numerous Byzantine sources of that siege and the final destruction of Singidunum. With this barbarian invasion and destruction of the city, the name Singidunum disappeared and never reappeared in history. Traces of Slavic material culture of that age were found in the Lower Town and the Upper Town, Zemun, Ritopek and Višnjica. That was a more permanent beginning of slovenisation of this city.
Around 630, Serbian people populated this area. After that, for more than two and a half centuries the city was not mentioned. Avar and Slavic warriors did not care about this city because it no longer had the position of a border fortification. It was then located within the wider space of the Balkan Peninsula that was already conquered by the Slavs. Besides, archeological findings show continuous life in the city and its surroundings. The city was mentioned again, under the Slavic name - Beograd (white city - probably because of the walls of white limestone) in 9th century, on 16 April 878, in a letter of Pope John VII to the Bulgarian Prince Boris-Mihail about the removal of the Belgrade Christian Bishop Sergei. Later, the name of the city could be found in various variants: Alba Graeca, Griechisch Weissenburg, Nandor Alba, Nandor Fejervar, Castelbianco, Alba Bulgarica.
A few centuries after Belgrade was first mentioned as a Slavic city, various armies and invaders were taking turns. The Franks first came to Belgrade, who under Charles the Great destroyed the Avars. On the ruins of Taurunum they founded the Frankish settlement of Malevilla, and with slovenisation the later name was Zemln (Zemun). The Frankish reign was replaced by the Bulgarians, then the Hungarians. At the end of the 10th century, at the time of the Samuels’ great state, Belgrade, for who knows how many times, changed its ruler. Again in 1018 it became an important frontier fortress of Byzantium. In the 11th and 12th century, rival forces fought for Belgrade: Hungary, Byzantium and Bulgaria.
During that time, numerous crusades passed through the city to the east completely ruining it. After the crusade invasions in 1096 and 1147, under the leadership of Friedrich Barbarossa in 1189, 190,000 people went through Belgrade. This leader of the crusaders saw Belgrade in ruins. How much the city was destroyed we could see by making comparison to the records of the Arab Geographer and Cartographer Idrisi, who in the description of ‘Itinerary of Constantinople Road ‘ of 1154 mentioned Belgrade as a well-inhabited and lively town with many churches.
Important years in history
Important years in history of Belgrade and Serbia
7000 B.C.
First Paleolithic settlement
End of the 1st century A.D.
The Romans populated Singidunum
91
Singidunum was a Roman military camp with IV Flavian Legion
441
The Huns destroyed Belgrade
After 450
Singidunum under the reign of the Sarmatians
Around 470
The Eastern Goths banished the Sarmatians from the city
488
The Gepids conquered Singidunum
504
The Goths conquered the city
510
By the Treaty of Peace, the city belonged to Byzantium
535
The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I rebuilt Singidunum
584
The Avars conquered and destroyed the ancient Singidunum
592
Byzantium regained the city
7th century
The Avars destroyed and burnt the city
Around 630
The Slavs conquered Singidunum
827
The Bulgarians took power over the Fortress
878
The first written record of the Slavic name ‘Beograd’
896
The Hungarian army attacked Belgrade
971
Byzantium conquered Belgrade
After 976
The city was conquered by Emperor Samuel
1018
Emperor Basil II destroyed the Macedonian Empire and Belgrade became Byzantine again
1072
Belgrade was taken by the Byzantine Empire
1096
The Hungarian army destroyed Belgrade but Byzantium retained it
1096 - 1189
Crusaders moved through Belgrade
1127
The Hungarian King Stephen II destroyed Belgrade and using its stones built Zemun
1154
The Byzantine Emperor Manuel destroyed Zemun and using stones from Belgrade rebuilt Belgrade
1182
Hungary attacked and robbed Belgrade
1185
Byzantium regained Belgrade by diplomatic means
1230
Belgrade was part of Bulgaria
1232
The city belonged to Hungary
1284
The Hungarians handed over the city to the Serbian King Dragutin and it was the first time Belgrade was under the Serbian power
1316
Dragutin’s brother Milutin conquered Belgrade by armed force
1319
The Hungarians took King Milutin’s power away over Belgrade
1382
Opponents of the Hungarian crown, the Horvat brothers conquered Belgrade
1386
Hungary regained Belgrade
1403
Under Despot Stefan Lazarević Belgrade became the capital city of the medieval Serbia
1427
The Hungarians took Đurađ Branković’s power away from Belgrade
1440
Turkey attacked Belgrade but despite the great destruction Belgrade was defended
1456
Sultan Mehmed II besieged the city unsuccessfully
1521
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent conquered Belgrade
1688
Duke Maximilian of Bavaria conquered Belgrade
1690
Belgrade was again under the Turkish power
1717
Princ Eugene of Savoy took over Belgrade
1723‒1736
Construction of the Belgrade Fortress according to the plans of Colonel Nicolas Doxat de Démoret
1739
The Treaty of Belgrade concluded between Austria and Turkey, according to which the city belonged to the Turks
1789
Marshal Ernst Gideon von Laudon conquered Belgrade
1791
By the Peace Treaty of Svištov, Belgrade was again under the power of the Turks
1806
Karađorđe liberated Belgrade town and again it became the capital city of Serbia
1808
The Great School was founded in Belgrade
1813
The Turks took over Belgrade again
1815
Miloš Obrenović started the Second Serbian Uprising
1830
The Sultan’s hatisherif on the autonomy of Serbia
1831
The first Printing House started working in Belgrade
1835
The first newspaper in Belgrade under the name ‘Novine srbske’ was published
1840
The first Post Office was opened in the city
1841
Belgrade became the capital city of the Principality of Serbia during the first reign of Mihailo Obrenović
1844
The National Museum was founded in Belgrade
1855
The first Belgrade-Aleksinac telegraph line was established
1862
Čukur Fontain Incident and bombing of Belgrade town from the Fortress held by the Turks led to an international decision for the Turks to leave the city
1867
Turkish commander of Belgrade Ali-Riza Pasha handed over the Belgrade’s keys to Prince Mihailo at Kalemegdan. The Turks finally left Belgrade
1876
At the beginning of the Serbian-Turkish war, Turkish flag was finally removed from the Fortress
1878
Independence of Serbia was finally recognized at the Berlin Congress
1882
Serbia became a kingdom and Belgrade its capital city
1883
The first telephone lines were constructed in Belgrade
1884
The Railway Station and the Sava Railway Bridge were constructed
1892
The first water supply network started operating
1893
Electrical lighting was constructed
1894
The first electrical tram started operating
1903
The May Coup after the assassination of the Serbian King Aleksandar Obrenović, King Petar I Karađorđević came to the throne of Serbia
1914
The Austrians bombed and took over Belgrade, but the Serbs liberated it the same year
1915
German and Austrian troops under the command of the Field Marshal Mackensen took over Belgrade
1918
The Serbs and some parts of the allied army liberated Belgrade
1918
Belgrade became the capital city of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
1923
The Paris-Budapest airline was extended to Belgrade
1927
The Belgrade airport building was opened
1929
Belgrade Radio started operating
Aleksandar Karađorđevic repealed the Constitution and introduced his own regime. In all municipalities, including the city of Belgrade, elected municipal bodies were replaced by the mayors appointed by the King
1934
The Knight King Aleksandar Bridge was constructed, known as a trambridge across the Sava. This bridge was demolished in the war and the today’s Branko’s Bridge was constructed on its pillars.
1935
The Pančevo Bridge, the first bridge across the Danube, was opened to traffic
1937
The Belgrade Fair was opened
1941
Big protests on 27 March against Yugoslavia joining the Tripartite Pact
The Germans bombed Belgrade on 6 April and occupied it on 12 April
1944
The Americans and other allies bombed Belgrade
On 20 October Belgrade was liberated by the People’s Liberation Party of Yugoslavia with the help of the Russian Red Army
New communist government arrested and liquidated political opponents and the Belgrade youth was mobilised to join the Srem Front
1945
On 29 November the Constituent Assembly proclaimed the Federative People’s Republic of Yugoslavia
The monarchy was abolished and the communist rule of Josip Broz Tito officially began
1946
Property nationalisation of pre-war industrials
1948
Due to political differences between the Stalinists and the Titoists, a large number of people were arrested and sentenced to prison
1950
Workers’ self-government’ over the property stolen from pre-war owners officially began
1958
Regular broadcasting of Belgrade TV started
1961
The first Conference of Non-Aligned Countries was held
1967
The first BITEF was held
1968
Student protests
1969
The Belgrade Palace was constructed
1971
The Gazela Bridge and Belgrade high-way were constructed
The first FEST was held
1974
New Constitution of the SFRY was adopted which caused a series of consequences for the Serbian national issue
1977-1978
The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was held in Belgrade
1979
The Annual Assembly of the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund
1980
XXI General Assembly of UNESCO was held
1983
The Annual UNCTAD Conference
1988
The first meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Balkan Countries
1992
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was proclaimed
On 30 May the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on the FR of Yugoslavia
1993
The highest hyperinflation in the history of mankind brought many people in Belgrade to the brink of survival
1994
New convertible dinar was introduced
1995
Vukov Spomenik Underground Railway Station was opened
1996
Large civil and student protests over non-recognition of local election results
1997
After half a century, the first non-communist government
1999
NATO bombed Yugoslavia for three months, including targets in the centre of Belgrade
2000
After elections and civil protests, Serbia was liberated from the dictatorship of Slobodan Milošević
2001
‘Outer wall’ of sanctions to the FR of Yugoslavia was removed
Serbia got its first democratic government
Slobodan Milošević sent to the Hague Tribunal
2002
The Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was established
2003
The Prime Minister of Serbia Dr Zoran Đinđić was killed
Serbia and Montenegro joined the Council of Europe
2004
Serbia got its first democratic president
2006
Belgrade was again the capital city of the independent state of Serbia
New Constitution of the Republic Serbia was adopted
Serbian Medieval Belgrade
During the reign of Despot Stefan Lazarević Belgrade flourished.
Serbian rule over Belgrade started in 1284, when the Serbian King Dragutin, as the son-in-law and vassal of the Hungarian King Ladislaus IV, took over the administration of Mačva with Belgrade. It was a period of intensive inhabitation of Serbian people and strengthening of the influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Dragutin had his own Palace there. A newly-built Cathedral was the embodiment of strength and wealth of the young Serbian country. At the Convention in Deževa in 1282, King Dragutin ceded his thrown to his brother Milutin, who ruled over Belgrade for a short time, because the city was conquered and demolished to the ground by the Hungarians in 1319. Demolished and abandoned city became border base to the Hungarian resistance to the expansion of the Serbian country from the south, during the reign of Emperor Dušan. In such state, Belgrade welcomed the 15th century, when the Turks, a new conquering force, appeared at the historical scene of Europe.
In order to resist Turkish invasion as readily as possible and have a strong foothold on the Sava and the Danube, the Hungarians allowed the construction of Belgrade during the reign of Despot Stefan Lazarević. He ruled over Belgrade from 1403 to 1427, and that was the time of real prosperity of the city. Belgrade was not only the capital city of the Serbian state but also the most important trade, cultural and religion centre. The Metroplitan Church, a new fortress (Citadel), a hospital and a library were constructed. Traders received privileges and rich and famous people, who contributed to the prosperity of the city, came. It is believed that the city could have had the population of 40,000 to 50,000 people then.
The Despot’s heir Đurađ Branković was forced to hand over the city to the Hungarians. Following the example of the Belgrade Fortress he built the Smederevo Fortress. During the hundred-year rule of the Hungarians, the whole structure of population and the appearance of the city were changed. The city suddenly became stagnant; the suppressed Serbian population lived in the suburbs and was not allowed the access to the Upper Town. The Hungarian King Sigismund increasingly inhabited the Hungarian population and spread the influence of the Catholic Church.
Under the Austrian government from 1717 to 1739 the city experienced a transformation.
The Turks knew that Belgrade was the biggest obstacle in conquests of Central Europe. After the fall of Smederevo in 1440, the Belgrade Fortress was besieged by the Turkish army with over 100,000 warriors, led by Sultan Murad II. In order to conquer the city on the nearby hill of Žrnov, today’s Avala, the Turks built their fortress, where they thought could contemplate and control the surroundings. For almost a century, Belgrade resisted invasions of Turkey. Finally, the Turks under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, on 28 August 1521 managed to conquer Belgrade, Christianity bulwark, and the key to the defense of the whole Hungary. The city was demolished and burnt. The road to West Europe was opened.
Moving the border to the north, the strategic position of Belgrade changed and in the following 150 years it became a relatively peaceful city with important trade and traffic function. The seat of Sandžak was moved from Smederevo and its intense construction began. Crafts and trade prospered more in the newly reconstructed oriental-looking city. It was a meeting place for traders from Dubrovnik, Venice, Greece and Austria, as well as craftsmen - the Turks, the Armenians, the Gypsies and the Serbs. Abadžija (craftman that sews national costumes), aščija (a cook in a restaurant), puškar (a craftsman that repairs guns) and others stood out among craftsmen. Besides, čaršija (bazaar), numerous caravanserai, bezistans and mosques were constructed. The city went beyond medieval ramparts and began to spread more and more along famous trade routes connecting the East with Europe. The city reached its biggest rise under the Turks in the 17th century with the population of 100,000.
At the end of the 17th century, the plaque raged in Belgrade, which in combination with fires and riots of janissaries led to its stagnation. After 167 years of relatively peaceful development, the city became the target of war conflicts. After the Turkish defeat under Vienna, in September 1688, the Austrians occupied Belgrade. The Turks returned the city in two years but it was destroyed, and its population due to cooperation with the Austrians, was exposed to killing, persecution and robbing. Thereafter, Belgrade became a border town again, until 1717 when the Austrians under the leadership of Prince Eugene of Savoy occupied it again. In the place of already demolished Belgrade Fortress, a new fortress was built according to modern military-strategic requirements.
The Austrian rule over Belgrade from 1717 to 1739 was marked with a real transformation of the city, because it lost former Turkish-Eastern features and took on characteristics of a central European city. Besides the Fortress, the town was surrounded by ramparts and new buildings were built. Trade revived and more and more Hungarians, Germans, French, Czechs and others inhabited the city. Ramparts around Belgrade were demolished when the Turks again occupied the city in 1739. The Turks demolished Austrian barracks and buildings, as well as houses, and many churches were turned into mosques. Belgrade became an oriental-looking town again with border position because by the Belgrade Treaty of Peace, the border was drawn towards the River Sava.
On the other side, Zemun gained border position on the Austrian territory. It received a special status within the military border and such conditions enabled it to develop the economy: trade, crafts, shipping and fishing. Citizen’s class grew stronger, new fortresses, state buildings and churches were built. Houses such as Karamatina, Ičkova and the house of Dimitrije Davidović date from that time. Serbian Primary School was opened in 1745. Painters and other cultural workers worked in the city.
At the end of the century, in the last Austrian-Turkish War, Belgrade was conquered in October 1789. Signing the Peace Treaty of Svištov in 1791, the Austrians withdrew to Zemun and janissaries were forbidden the entrance to the Pashalik of Belgrade. After the death of Mustafa Pasha in 1801, janissaries established control over the town and the surrounding villages. It was a time of complete anarchy, violence and robberies committed by janissaries. It ended with the well-known ‘Slaughter of the Princes’ and other respectful Serbs which was the reason for an uprising.
After the Turks handed over the city keys in 1867, Belgrade experienced an economic and cultural boom.
National consciousness awakening and slaughter of princes were the reason for the First Serbian Uprising in 1804. The Uprising under the leadership of Karađorđe was from the very beginning aimed at liberation of Belgrade. After two years of fight, the city was conquered in 1807. Belgrade town was conquered by Karađorđe in 1806 and the Belgrade Fortress in 1807. Around 25,000 Serbian insurgents under the leadership of Karađorđe Petrović found the city in ruins. It became the capital of just liberated part of Serbia and the symbol of libertarian traditions of its population. Upon renewal, it became an important economic, trade and cultural centre. The Governing Council (Serbian government) already met in 1807 and first ministries have been located there since 1811. More prominent people and intellectuals came from Vojvodina and other areas, including Sima Milutinović and Dositej Obradović who founded the first Great School in1808.
Dynamic development of Belgrade was interrupted by a Turkish invasion in 1813 and reprisals that followed led to the uprising in 1815. Prince Miloš Obrenović, the leader of the uprising, managed to use diplomacy in the relationship with the Turks. With certain privileges, he increasingly inhabited the Serbs from the south, so the Turks, almost in rage, began to sell property and houses for nothing. The Turks kept the Fortress, while the town belonged to the Serbs. New important buildings were constructed: the Residence of Princess Ljubica, the Cathedral, the Court complex in Topčider... With its economic function, Belgrade also became an important cultural centre. The Printing House from Kragujevac was moved in 1835 and the Novine srpske newspaper was published. Theological School and the first High School were founded and the town became the centre of numerous cultural workers of the time, such as: Vuk Karadžić, Jovan Sterije Popović, Joakim Vujić, Dimitrije Davidović and others.
The presence of the Turkish army in the Fortress interrupted the development of Belgrade. However, events related to the murder of a Serbian boy at the well-known Čukur Fountain, when the Turks bombed the Belgrade town, were the reason for negotiations about the final retreat of the Turkish army from the Serbian towns. After 346 years of rule, the Turks left Belgrade for good on 18 April 1867. Belgrade became free when the keys were symbolically handed over, Turkish military guards replaced by Serbian soldiers and the Serbian flag was raised next to the Turkish one. Prince Mihailo Obrenović moved the capital city from Kragujevac to Belgrade.
That was a new incentive for an economic and cultural development of the city. In the second half of the 19th century, urbanisation and the rest of the europenisation were completed. Knez Mihailova Street had central position and it was the shortest connection between the Fortress and the town. It soon became the most significant trade and business centre, a role that has retained to this day. Old crafts were replaced by the industry, the construction of the Belgrade-Niš Railway in 1884 improved trade and traffic. The city gained electric power, trams; a steamship society and important scientific-cultural institutions were founded (Great School in 1863, National Theatre in 1869...).
After World War II, Belgrade has become an important international, political, cultural, sports and economic centre.
Intense construction of Belgrade upon its final liberation from the Turks continued in the first years of the 20th century. The construction of the Railway Station and port on the Sava led to transferring the centre of the city and the early Turkish-Eastern part called Dorćol began to lose its importance. However, an obstacle to further development was the fact that Belgrade was a border city towards Austria and an obstacle to their conquering politics towards the Balkans.
In Austrian and German plans to penetrate the Balkans, they looked for a reason to military attack Serbia. It was found in the assassination of the Austrian-Hungarian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. World War I began by an ultimatum and attack to Serbia. During four months long bombing, predecessors of the Austrian army penetrated Belgrade on 2 December 1914 but stayed only until 15 December. The occupier had to withdraw due to stronger position of Serbia after the victory in the Battle of Kolubara. A new attack happened between 6 and 7 October 1915 led by Field Marshal Mackensen and it lasted 7 days and nights. Despite 9,731 injured and died soldiers, the Austrian army managed to penetrate the city. The agony for Belgrade lasted three years. Penetrating Salonika Front, the Serbian army and parts of allied army liberated Belgrade on 1 November 1918. During World War I, Serbia lost 28% of its population and Belgrade was among the cities which were most affected.
Immediately upon liberation, Belgrade became the capital of the newly-formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which enhanced the construction. Enlarged for Zemun, Belgrade was no longer a border city and it began to develop fast. Besides, sudden spread towards Avala, Košutnjak, Čukarica and the Danube and within the old city centre, numerous buildings were erected, giving Belgrade features of a European city. But, following the murder of King Aleksandar I Karađorđević, forces expressing sympathy for bearers of the new world order of Hitler and Mussolini grew stronger. It resulted in joining the Tripartite Pact on 25 March 1941 and two days later there was a coup, a change of the government and large people’s protests.
Only a few days later, Belgrade became the target of terrible bombing and destruction. In the attack of the German aviation on the free city on 6 and 7 April 1941, 2,274 people were killed and there were several times more injured. Several thousands of buildings were lightly or severely damaged, and among cultural-historical monuments, the national Library was completely burnt down. It was an introduction to a four-year-life of the city under the occupation. German troops penetrated Belgrade without any resistance on 12 April 1941. With all exiles and suffering caused by the German occupier, citizens of Belgrade had to make sacrifices due to the allied bombing, especially in autumn 1944. Plenty of buildings, residential buildings, all bridges at the Sava and the Danube were tore down, and 1,160 people lost their lives. During World War II, Belgrade lost around 50,000 citizens and suffered priceless damage and destruction. Belgrade was liberated by the troops of People’s Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and Red Army on 20 October 1944.
New communist government arrested and liquidated political opponents, and the Belgrade youth was mobilised to join the Srem Front. Despite the huge destruction and general poverty, Belgrade slowly began to recover from severe war and occupation consequences. Demolished economic facilities were renovated and new ones were built especially industrial capacities (primarily in the field of metal, chemical and electrical industry), traffic began to develop; cultural and educational institutions were being renovated and expanded. On the political level, with the adoption of the Declaration on the Proclamation of the Federative People’s Republic of Yugoslavia as a federal country of the republican form, on 29 November 1945 the monarchical form of rule in Yugoslavia was abolished and the communist rule of Josip Broz Tito officially began. With proclamation of the Constitution of the Federative People’s Republic of Yugoslavia on 31 January 1946, a socialist state union of Yugoslav peoples was established and nationalisation of pre-war industrials began.
Due to specific politics of Yugoslavia led by Josip Broz Tito, Belgrade became an important international, political, cultural, sports and economic centre. Important international meetings were held in Belgrade: the first Conference of Heads and Governments of Non-Aligned Countries (1961), then the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CESC), the UNESCO Conference, the Annual Meeting of the Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the sixth UNCTAD, as well as a series of cultural, sports and other events.
Student riots in 1968 showed the existence of problems at the domestic level (directed at unreal social differences and arbitrariness of bureaucratic apparatus) and later a national moment in 1974. With the adoption of the Constitution the same year, the state joined the confederation. Unsolved national, ethnical, political, economic and other problems led to disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1991, ending the longest period of peace in the Balkans in the 20th century. Belgrade was the capital city of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia since 1992, consisting of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro. Belgrade was the capital of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro since February 2003. In May 2006, Montenegro proclaimed its independency and since then Belgrade has been the capital of the independent state of the Republic of Serbia.
A turbulent decade ended with NATO bombing the capital city of Serbia.
Since it is too early to write about the latest history of Belgrade, we give you a survey of massive events which marked the autocracy of Slobodan Milošević.
2 March 1988 SFRY Assembly ‒ First great rally in Belgrade
Slobodan Milošević addressed the gathered students, citizens from Kosovo and Metohija and workers, “All names will be announced soon and I would like to tell you that the ones who manipulated people in order to achieve political goals against Yugoslavia will be punished and arrested”. The mass yelled, “Arrest Vlasi!”(an Albanian communist leader from Kosovo), and Slobodan Milošević replied, “I cannot hear you well, but I will arrest him”.
(According to the report of Belgrade TV, there were around 300,000 people and according to other media there were around 30,000 to 50,000 people)
18 November 1988 Ušće ‒ State rally of inauguration of Slobodan Milošević
The President of the Presidency of the Central Committee of the Serbian League of Communists Slobodan Milošević addressing the citizens who were brought by factory buses to Ušće, said, “We will win the battle for Kosovo regardless of obstacles being set in the country and abroad. We will win regardless of our enemies abroad and those in the country uniting. And that this nation will win the battle for freedom is a fact well-known to German and Turkish conquerors.”
(According to the report of Belgrade TV, there were around million people and according to other media there were around a few hundred thousand people)
9 March 1991 Trg Republike ‒ First large Serbian opposition rally
Since Belgrade TV refused to broadcast a denial of Srpski pokret obnove (Serbian Renewal Movement), Vuk Drašković organized a rally of the Serbian opposition at Trg Republike, with the main request for resignation of the director and four editors of the state TV Station. From the balcony of the National Theatre, opposition leaders addressed the gathered citizens while the police on horses tried to disperse the demonstrators. Later, the police used water-cannons, beat the demonstrators, while two people got killed: Branislav Milinović (demonstrator) and Nedeljko Kosović (police officer). There were also tanks on the streets of the capital city. The work of B92 and NTV Studio B was forbidden. In his statement for Belgrade TV, Slobodan Milošević called demonstrators ‘forces of chaos and insanity’.
(According to the report of Belgrade TV there were a few thousand people ‘hooligans’, while according to the independent media there were more than 50,000 people)
10-11 March 1991 Terazije Fountain ‒ First student protest
Students from Studentski grad headed towards the centre of Belgrade which was their reaction to the tanks in the centre of Belgrade. They were stopped by the police at the Branko’s Bridge. The police used a tear gas and beat up a few of the students. Zoran Đinđić negotiated with the police which allowed a group of 5,000 students to join the demonstrators-students at Terazije Fountain. Demonstrators had 8 requests, including a resignation of Dušan Mitević, the director of Belgrade Radio-Television and four editors of Belgrade TV, a resignation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Radmilo Bogdanović, as well as to enable B92 Radio and NTV Studio B to work.
(Government media informed about a little group of people, however according to the report of NTV Studio B there were around 20,000 people)
11 March 1991 Ušće ‒ First counter-rally
Organised by the Socialist Party of Serbia, the rally for ‘the Defence of the Republic, constitutionality, freedom and democracy’ was held at Ušće. With Kozaračko kolo (national dance) and shouts: “Slobo, freedom!”, “Murderers, fascist!”, “We will not give Kosovo away!”, “Ustaša, ustaša!”, “Trial for Vuk!”. Dušan Matković, Petar Škundrić, the Academician Mihajlo Marković, Živorad Igić and Radoman Božović addressed the gathered people. Matković said that the students at Terazije Fountain were hooligans and he invited the crowd to head towards Ušće and confront them.
(Belgrade TV and Politika informed there were around 150,000 people, while the independent media informed about thirty thousand)
15 June - 10 July 1992 Student protest
Due to sanctions imposed by the international community on 30 May, students demanded a resignation of the President of Serbia Slobodan Milošević. They were supported by students from Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac and Priština. A delegation of students and professors had a meeting with Slobodan Milošević who said that he had the support of workers, farmers and citizens; therefore he did not want to resign. One of the students said after the conversation, “Not even an atomic bomb will make the President leave”. The President did not resign but the Rector of the University of Belgrade Rajko Vračar did.
28 June - 5 July1992 in front of Federal Assembly ‒ Vidovdan Fair
The Opposition organised as DEPOS (Democratic Movement of Serbia) and heir to the throne Aleksandar Karađorđević, who just arrived in Serbia, demanded a resignation of Slobodan Milošević. On the first day, Patriarch Pavle, heir to the throne Aleksandar Karađorđević and all leaders of opposition parties, joined in DEPOS, addressed the gathered people.
(According to the report of Radio-Television of Serbia, on the first day there were several dozens of thousands ‘accidental passers-by’, while according to the report of Studio B there were 700,000, and foreign news agencies reported the number of 200-500 thousand of people)
July 1993 Federal Assembly ‒ Arrest of Vuk Drašković
Since the Minister, Member of the Serbian Radical Party, Branislav Vakić knocked down the Minister of the Serbian Renewal Movement Mihajlo Marković, the demonstration broke out. On this occasion, Vuk Drašković and Danica Drašković were arrested on 2 July. Upon the intervention of various humanitarian organisations, arrival of Mrs Danielle Mitterand, the demonstrations at Trg Republike and the letter that Vuk Drašković wrote to Milošević, the President of Serbia granted freedom to Vuk and Danica Drašković.
November 1996 - February 1997 across Serbia ‒ Civil and student protest
After the theft at local elections, the Zajedno Coalition organised protests of citizens in major cities of Serbia. Along with civil protests, began student demonstrations. The protest was characterized by whistles and walks, but also police cordons brought from provinces. The Serbian Orthodox Church and Patriarch Pavle took part in ‘breaking the cordon’. The election results (victory of opposition at local level) were acknowledged after the visit of Felipe Gonzalez and Milošević’s lex specialis.
(Protest lasted for three months)
24 December 1996 Terazije ‒ Counter-rally
The Socialist Party of Serbia organised a counter-rally where Slobodan Milošević addressed the gathered people. In reply to the chants, “Slobo, we love you!” the President said, “I love you, too”. Before, during and after the rally there were several conflict situations between the supporters of the Zajedno Coalition and the Milošević’s supporters. One supporter of the Zajedno Coalition died and the other one got heavily injured. That day, Serbia was on the brink of a civil war.
(According to the report of Radio-Television of Serbia there were half a million people, while according to the independent media there were only 40,000 people)
2 and 3 February 1997 Branko’s Bridge ‒ Beating up citizens
Because walks were prohibited, the Zajedno Coalition invited its supporters to come to Trg Republike from various directions. The walk from Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) was led by Vuk Drašković. This column was blocked by a cordon at 8 p.m. at the Novi Beograd’s end of the bridge. Other demonstrators, who came to Trg Republike unhindered from other parts of the city, walked through Brankova Street to join people from Novi Beograd. However, that column of people led by the presidents of the Democratic Party and the Civic Alliance of Serbia, Zoran Đinđić and Vesna Pešić, was stopped by a cordon at the beginning of the Branko’s Bridge. After nearly three hours of the blockade, the police attacked demonstrators on both sides of the bridge. The attack on the demonstrators began with water cannons from Pop Lukina Street. Many citizens were flooded with water, although it was 10 degrees below zero that evening. In total panic, several citizens were injured. Vesna Pešić was hit by a truncheon several times. Pursuing demonstrators, the police went through the streets of Dorćol, and by a testimony of witnesses, a number of citizens were beaten up in Francuska Street. The total number was dozens of injured, among which a few police officers, as well as several arrested demonstrators.
24 March 9 June 1999 NATO bombing
The regime of Slobodan Milošević used even the most tragic moments in the recent history of the Serbian nation for merciless party propaganda and fight against opponents. The anti-war concert gatherings of a large number of people at Trg Republike were in a short time turned into a cheap political trick for the RTS cameras, because the number of supporters abruptly decreased. At Easter, outside his apartment, the journalist Slavko Ćuruvija was killed as a result of unprecedented regime media and police persecution led against all political opponents. Although all media buildings were evacuated, the third shift workers of Radio-Television of Serbia were obviously purposely left in the building in Abardareva Street, so that this tragedy could be used for political purposes.
19 August 1999, in front of Federal Assembly ‒ Opposition rally on Transfiguration Day
At the first great gathering of the Opposition in Belgrade after the war, there were obvious differences between the leaders of two opposition blocks, Vuk Drašković and Zoran Đinđić which manifested in the fight of their bodyguards on the stage.
September 1999 ‒ Protests of Alliance for Changes
After 50 rallies across Serbia, on 21 September, the Alliance for Changes and the Alliance of Democratic Parties began daily protests against the regime of Slobodan Milošević in fifteen towns in Serbia. As well as during the 1996/97 protest, walks were organized in Belgrade again.
On 29 September 30-80 thousand people started to walk from Trg Republike to Dedinje. At the corner of Nemanjina Street, demonstrators encountered a four-line police cordon with water cannons and armed vehicles. After the conversation with police officials, leaders of the Alliance for Changes invited citizens to sit down on the street. Police officers started to beat the citizens and push them towards Nemanjina Street. The citizens started to run back towards the London intersection and the railway station. There were 60 injured demonstrators and 5 police officers.
The next day on 30 September, the police attacked peaceful demonstrators. At the Branko’s Bridge, on the Novi Beograd’s end of the bridge, a police cordon stopped more than 40 thousand demonstrators walking towards the Federation Palace and brutally attacked them before supporters of the Alliance for Changes managed to back off. The leaders of the Alliance for Changes were also beaten, a camera of Studio B was broken, and 20 people were injured. The police beat again people who were lying on the ground and after the attack at the bridge they entered local cafes and beat their guests.
Significant date in the recent Serbian history
Democratic Opposition of Serbia invited all citizens to gather in front of the Federal Assembly on 5 October to confront the large election theft carried out by the Federal Election Commission by the order of Slobodan Milošević. Democratic Opposition of Serbia ultimately demanded that Slobodan Milošević until Thursday 5 October at 3 p.m. acknowledge the electoral will of the people expressed at the federal, presidential and local elections held on 24 September 2000. They also demanded that the general manager and editor-in chief and the editorial staff of Radio-Television of Serbia resign and that Radio-Television of Serbia apply editorial policy and enable objective information on events in Serbia. Democratic Opposition demanded a release of all arrested people, as well as to withdraw arrest warrants and criminal charges against those who protested and fought for the respect of the electoral will of the citizens of Serbia.
The President of the Federal Election Commission Borivoje Vukičević informed the presidents of the election commissions of election units that ‘preparatory work for the second round of presidential elections was brought to an end’ on 8 October. Vojislav Koštunica, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia asked Slobodan Milošević to acknowledge the defeat in the first round of presidential elections and pointed out a danger of open conflicts in Serbia, “We cannot be involved in another round because by doing so we would become accomplices in the theft of votes. The first round fraud cannot be undone by another”.
Supporters of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia began to arrive in Belgrade from the entire Serbia from the very morning, led by the leaders of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia. At around 3 p.m. citizens gathered at the rally in front of the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia tried to enter into the building of the Assembly. At 3.35 p.m. a large group of people entered into the building through a window. The police managed to disperse people using a great amount of tear gas.
Several dozens of citizens entered the Federal Assembly at 4 p.m., while the police officers, up to that moment guarding the building, withdrew. There was huge black smoke and nearly all windows were broken. The demonstrators demolished a few police vehicles in Kosovska Street behind the Yugoslav Parliament. During the conflict between police and demonstrators there was a gunshot. At 5 p.m. the commander of the Belgrade police asked for a conversation with the leaders of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia. At around 6 p.m. members of the Police Station in Majke Jevrosime Street laid down their arms and joined the demonstrators. Several dozens of citizens were admitted to the Emergency Centre with light and severe injuries.
The police threw a tear gas near the building of Radio-Television of Serbia while an excavator made its way to the entrance. The building of Radio-Television of Serbia was later burnt down. Broadcast of the regular programme of Radio-Television of Serbia was interrupted after 5 p.m. Music videos and advertisements were broadcast on all three channels of the state television. Studio B radio-television started to broadcast regular news on events on the streets in the afternoon. Later, one by one, all other televisions began to report on real events on the streets of Belgrade. The only electronic media in Belgrade, which before and on 5 October freely and professionally reported about the post electoral crisis and protests, was Index Radio.
Newly elected President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Vojislav Koštunica addressed the citizens in the evening from the balcony of the Assembly in Belgrade and later via Radio-Television of Serbia. During the evening, a constitutional session of new members of the Assembly of the city of Belgrade was held. Hundreds of thousands people were in the centre of Belgrade throughout the night, celebrating their victory but stressing out about possible attacks from the army and other security organs of the former regime. Democratic Opposition of Serbia formed an emergency response team for key functions in the country in coordination with the new president, while their leaders spoke to the heads of the state and public safety throughout the night. A large number of people stayed up in front of the Assembly until the morning. It was the first morning without a dictator in the Government.
The city experienced its most difficult moments in history for three months.
During the NATO bombing of Belgrade in 1999, even the targets in the very city centre were hit, as shown on the map.
For nearly three months of bombing, only a few days and nights were without an air-raid alarm.
NATO aggression chronology
Day 1 ‒ Night between 24 and 25 March
There was a series of attacks in the area of Batajnica, where a military airport of the same name is located, one explosion in the region of Ralje, 30 km south of Belgrade, three strong detonations around Avala Mountain. The radar station in Rakovica was hit; three school buildings were damaged and the outer wall of the monastery.
Day 2 ‒ Night between 25 and 26 March
Next to Batajnica airport, Jajnici and Zarkovo were bombed.
Day 3 ‒ Night between 26 and 27 March
Areas around Avala, Topčider, Mali Mokri Lug, Sremčica, Lipovica and Voždovac were hit. A fire caught the Forest of Lipovica.
Day 4 ‒ Night between 27 and 28 March
Another bombing of Batajnica airport, Avala and Trešnja; pre-school and school buildings in Petlovo brdo and Vidikovac were damaged. The Forest of Lipovica was again caught by a fire. The international civil airport in Surčin was damaged.
Day 5 ‒ Night between 28 and 29 March
Batajnica Airport was bombed again.
Day 6 ‒ Night between 29 and 30 March
Another bombing of Batajnica Airport, Avala, Jakovo and Zuce.
Day 7 ‒ Night between 30 and 31 March
There were explosions in the area of Jakovo and Borča. Military facilities at Avala were bombed. A few projectiles fell in the area of the village of Zuce.
Day 10 ‒ Night between 2 and 3 April
Cruising missiles hit the buildings of the federal and republic Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kneza Miloša Street in the immediate vicinity of the Gynecological-Obstetrical Clinic and Laza Lazarević Psychiatric Hospital.
Day 11‒ Night between 3 and 4 April
Day 12 ‒ Night between 4 and 5 April
The building of the Air-Force Command in the centre of Zemun in Glavna Street was hit. Water-supply network and several residential buildings in Glavna Street were hit. Millitary barracks in Cara Dušana Street (Riding School) was hit. One missile fell in the vicinity of the Zvezdara City Hospital. In the attack of the wider area of Surčin, the building of the civil airport was damaged.
Day 15 ‒ Night between 7 and 8 April
The building of the Ministry of Justice was hit (former City Command) in 9 Nemanjina Street. Windows on the surrounding residential buildings and the Belgrade Hotel were broken due to strong detonation.
Day 20 ‒ Night between 12 and 13 April
The Vasa Čarapić barracks of the Yugoslav Army in Banjica was bombed. An air battle took place in the sky above Novi Beograd. A missile, which didn’t explode, fell near the Belgrade Arena Sports Centre.
Day 22 ‒ Night between 14 and 15 April
There was a series of heavy explosions in Rakovica. A large number of people were injured, mostly by broken glass. The municipality building, health centre, kindergarten, and several other facilities were damaged.
Day 23 ‒ Night between 15 and 16 April
The quarry in Rakovica was bombed twice in two days.
Day 25 ‒ Night between 17 and 18 April
Milica Rakić, a three year-old girl, got killed in the attack on the suburban area of Batajnica. Five citizens were killed. Rakovica was bombed again.
Day 26 ‒ Night between 18 and 19 April
Four loud detonations were recorded in Barič, the municipality of Obrenovac, where a chemical industry is located.
Day 27 ‒ Night between 19 and 20 April
Attacks in the area of Batajnica
Day 28 ‒ Night between 20 and 21 April
Ušće Business Centre in Novi Beograd was bombed. It housed several radio and TV stations and headquarters of the Socialist Party of Serbia.
Day 29 ‒ Night between 21 and 22 April
The residency of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 15 Užička Street was demolished. Around 20 missiles hit the area around Batajnica Airport.
Day 30 ‒ Night between 22 and 23 April
The building of Radio-Television of Serbia in Aberdareva Street in the city centre was hit. 16 people got killed, 18 had light and heavy injuries. The bridge on the River Sava was heavily damaged. The attacks in the area of Avala and Krnjača, electric power conversion plants in Zemun Polje and Resnik were hit.
Day 32 ‒ Night between 24 and 25 April
Electric power conversion plant at Avala in the vicinity of Radio-Television of Serbia transmitter, which lost power, was hit.
Day 34 ‒ Night between 26 and 27 April
Ušće Business Centre was bombed again. Radio and TV antenna on the rooftop of the building were destroyed.
Day 35 ‒ Night between 27 and 28 April
Seven missiles were fired at the barracks of the Yugoslav army in Topčider.
Day 36 ‒ Night between 28 and 29 April
The Antenna Tower in Krčnjača, the bridge on the Sava near Ostružnica and the barracks in Topčider were hit.
Day 37 ‒ Night between 29 and 30 April
In the heaviest attack from the very beginning of the aggression, the buildings of the Yugoslav army headquarters were hit, as well as already damaged the building of the Federal Police. A residential area in Vračar, between Južni bulevar and Maksima Gorkog Street, was hit. The whole area was left without water supply. Transmitter of Radio-Television of Serbia at Avala and antenna of Studio B in Borča were destroyed. During these attacks three people got killed and forty were injured.
Day 39 ‒ Night between 1 and 2 May
The area of the Forest of Lipovica, Surčin and Jakovo were bombed.
Day 40 ‒ Night between 2 and 3 May
Due to effects of special substances causing short circuits in the high-voltage mains (graphite bombs) in the Nikola Tesla Thermal Power Plant in Obrenovac and the Kostolac in Kostolac, the power supply system broke down. Belgrade, the whole Vojvodina, all towns in Pomoravlje, Niš, Kragujevac, Smederevo, Valjevo and other towns, as well as parts of Republika Srpska, which were supplied by these power pants, were left without electric power. Therefore, due to this accident, many towns were left without water supply, too.
Day 41 ‒ Night between 2 and 4 May
Straževica hill in Rakovica and the area around Batajnica were bombed. As a result of the previous attacks on transmission lines, there was a partial breakdown of power supply system again, which caused a lack of power and water supply of many towns and parts of towns.
Day 45 ‒ Night between 7 and 8 May
In the heaviest attack so far, the headquarters of the Yugoslav army and federal Ministry of Internal Affairs were bombed again. In the attack of the Chinese Embassy in Novi Beograd, four employees got killed and five were severely injured. The Yugoslavia Hotel was significantly damaged, one guest got killed. In a repeated attack with graphite bombs on the thermal power plant in Obrenovac and several electric power conversion plants, power supply system was damaged and the whole city was left without electricity.
Day 47 ‒ Night between 9 and 10 May
Ever since the beginning of the NATO aggression against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the citizens of Belgrade spent the night without air-raid alarms.
Day 48 ‒ Night between 10 and 11 May
The area around Zuce and the Prva iskra Plant in Barič were hit.
Day 50 ‒ Night between 12 and 13 May
Batajnica Airport was bombed.
Day 51 ‒ Night between 13 and 14 May
Graphite bombs hit the Drmno Thermal Power Plant in Kostolac and the Kolubara Power Plant near Lazarevac. Several towns and some parts of Belgrade were left without power supply.
Day 51 ‒ Night between 17 and 18 April
The wider area of Batajnica was bombed.
Day 56 ‒ Night between 18 and 19 May
Reservoirs of Jugopetrol in Radnička Street in Čukarica were bombed. Windows on the surrounding buildings at Banovo Brdo were broken.
Day 57 ‒ Night between 19 and 20 April
In the attack of the Oncology Department of Dragiša Mišović Clinical Centre in Dedinje three patients got killed and several medical workers were injured. Four baby deliveries were in progress during the attack. Two pregnant women were slightly injured; babies were evacuated to other hospitals. Batajnica Airport, the Prva iskra Plant in Barič and a hunger in the old Obrenovac road were bombed.
Day 58 ‒ Night between 20 and 21 May
Jugopetrol reservoirs in Čukarica were bombed again. The residency of the Swiss Ambassador was damaged in this attack. Several detonations were recorded in Rakovica, Lipovica and Ostružnica.
Day 59 ‒ Night between 21 and 22 May
Jugopetrol reservoirs in Radnička Street in Čukarica were hit again. The area around the Forest of Lipovica and Straževica hill in Rakovica were bombed.
Day 60 ‒ Night between 22 and 23 May
Five employees were injured in the attack of the Kolubara Thermal Power Plant in Veliki Crljeni. Belgrade and a large part of Serbia were left without power supply. Targets in Obrenovac, Barič, Makiš, the Forest of Lipovica and Rakovica were hit.
Day 61 ‒ Night between 23 and 24 May
A large part of Serbia went out of eectricity after the bombing of the Kolubara Thermal power Plant, the Nikola Tesla Thermal Power Plant and the Drmno Thermal Power Plant. Severe damage was made to electric power conversion plants and mains. Many parts of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš, as well as other towns were left without power and water supply.
Day 62 ‒ Night between 24 and 25 May
The building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kneza Miloša Street, Straževica hill in Rakovica, transmission lines and the area around Batajnica were bombed.
Day 64 ‒ Night between 26 and 27 May
Three people died in the attack of the village of Ralja in the municipality of Sopot. The 21 May Plant in Rakovica was hit. The area of Makiš, Ostružnica, Batajnica and Zuce were bombed. Two missiles, which didn’t explode, fell in Novi Beograd and Vračar.
Day 65 ‒ Night between 27 and 28 May
Electric power conversion plants in Leštane and Bežanijska Kosa were hit. Belgrade and a large part of Vojvodina were left without electricity. The building of the Federal Directorate for Commodity Reserves in Novi Beograd was bombed.
Day 66 ‒ Night between 28 and 29 May
The wider area of Batajnica was bombed.
Day 67 ‒ Night between 29 and 30 May
The wider area of Belgrade, the area of Obreanovac, Bubanj Potok and the foot of Avala, the area around Batajnica and Straževica in Rakovica were bombed. A missile fell on the green area 300 m far from Vidikovac Shopping Centre.
Day 68 ‒ Night between 30 and 31 May
Several missiles fell in Zvezdara, Ripanj, Miljakovac and facilities of the Nikola Tesla Thermal Power Plant in Obrenovac.
Day 69 ‒ Night between 31 May and 1 June
High-voltage electric power conversion plants in Leštane and Bežanijska Kosa were bombed again. The whole Belgrade and most part of Vojvoidna were left without power supply.
Day 70 ‒ Night between 1 June and 2 June
The wider area of the city was the target. Lipovica, Umka, Ostružnica, Bežanijska Kosa, Obrenovac, as well as a petrol station on the Belgrade-Pančevo road were bombed.
Day 71 ‒ Night between 2 June and 3 June
One explosion in the area of Barič.
Day 72 ‒ Night between 3 June and 4 June
The area of Batajnica was bombed. This was only the second night ever since the beginning of the aggression with no air-raid alarms in Belgrade.
Day 76 ‒ ight between 7 June and 8 June
Batajnica was bombed. Lighting balls, which nearly illuminated the entire city, were launched. Unexploded missiles fell in Slankamen, Kotež and Zvezdara.
A sequence of events from 5 October 2000 to the assassination of the Prime Minister of Serbia Dr Zoran Đinđić on 12 March 2003
Year 2000
5 October ‒ At the constitutional session, Milan St Protić was elected new Chairman of the Assembly of the city of Belgrade.
7 October ‒ Dr Vojislav Koštunica took the oath of office before the MPs of the Federal Assembly as the first democratic president of Yugoslavia. A constitutional session of the assembly was held in the Sava Centre due to damages on the building of the Parliament during the conflict between police and citizens on 5 October.
9 October ‒ The Heads of the European Union diplomatic missions, at the Summit in Luxemburg, took a decision to lift the embargo on oil import and air-traffic with Serbia and they also lifted all sanctions imposed against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1998.
12 October ‒ The US President Bill Clinton lifted all US sanctions against Yugoslavia and began a process of resuming of diplomatic relations between these two countries.
24 October ‒ The transitional government of Serbia was formed, which consisted of the members of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia, the Socialist Party of Serbia and the Serbian Renewal Movement. The Serbian Radical Party did not wish to take part in in such government. The transitional government was supposed to ensure running of the country until the snap elections scheduled on 23 December. The Prime Minister of the transitional government was Milomir Minić, while the Deputy Ministers were Spasoje Krunić and Nebojša Čović.
26 October ‒ The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia joined the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe. All members of the meeting in Budapest seconded the motion of the coordinator of the Pact Bodo Hombach to admit Yugoslavia to full membership.
11 November ‒ The Standing Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), by a unanimous decision admitted FRY to their membership.
15 December ‒ Dinar established its internal convertibility again.
Year 2001
11 January ‒ The Standing Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted a decision on OESC mission in FRY.
19 January ‒ The American President Bill Clinton took a decision on lifting the ‘outer wall of sanctions’ against FRY.
22 January ‒ The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe granted a special guest status to FRY.
22 January ‒ New Assembly of the Republic of Serbia was formed, in which Democratic Opposition of Serbia had 176 out of 250 ministers in total. Up to then the leading Socialist Party of Serbia won 37, the Serbian Radical Party 23, and the Party of Serbian Unity 14 MP mandates.
25 January ‒ Serbia got its first democratic government. Dr Zoran Đinđić, the president of Democratic Party of Serbia, became the Prime Minister of the new government.
8 February ‒ The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia acquired an observer status in the World Trade Organisation.
15 February ‒ With the exchange of ambassadors, diplomatic relations between the USA and FRY were formally resumed.
Former Mayor of the city of Belgrade Milan St Protić was appointed ambassador of FRY to Washington.
26 February ‒ The Council of Ministers of the European Union brought a decision to lift all sanctions against FRY imposed in 1998, apart from those relating to the former President Slobodan Milošević and his close associates.
27 February ‒ Both Councils of the Assembly of FRY rescinded the Decree on deprivation of citizenship and property of the Karađorđević royal family, dated 1947.
16 March ‒ The OSCE and the Council of Europe’s offices were opened in Belgrade. Stefano Sannino was appointed OSCE Head of the mission to FRY.
1 April ‒ Former President of Serbia and FRY Slobodan Milošević, who was suspected of misuse of duty, was arrested. The arrest was initiated on 30 March and finalised two days later, after seven-hour negotiations about his surrender. The arrest was preceded by day-and-night vigils of supporters of the Socialist Party of Serbia and the Yugoslav Left in front of the house where Milošević resided.
8 May ‒ FRY was admitted to full membership in the World Bank.
16 June ‒ The Russian President Vladimir Putin paid his first visit to FRY as a head of the Russian state.
23 June ‒ The Federal Government adopted the Regulation on cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.
28 June ‒ Former President of FRY Slobodan Milošević was sent to the Hague Tribunal based on the Regulation of the government of Serbia.
29 June ‒ At the donors’ conference for Yugoslavia, held on Brussels, one billion and 280 million dollar aid was collected for FRY.
12 July ‒ By the decision of the Federal Government, the family of Karađorđević was given the right to usufruct the court complex in Dedinje.
24 September ‒ FRY was again admitted to Interpol.
25 September ‒ FRY was admitted to the membership of the World trade Organisation.
2 November ‒ After more than a half a century, religious education was again instituted in Serbian schools.
9 November ‒ Special operation units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, known as ‘crvene beretke’ (red berets) protested on the high-way near Belgrade.
16 November ‒ The Paris Club wrote-off the 66% debt of FRY.
7 December ‒ The President of France Jacques Chirac made a two-day visit to FRY.
Year 2002
14 March ‒ The Agreement on starting points to reconsolidate relations between Serbia and Montenegro was signed in Belgrade. The Agreement was signed by the President of FRY Vojislav Koštunica, the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, the Vice-President of the Federal Government Miroljub Labus, the Prime Ministers Zoran Đinđić and Filip Vujanović and the High Commissioner of EU Javier Solana. According to the Agrrement, the name of the future state union will be Serbia and Montenegro.
22 March ‒ The International Monetary Fund granted to Yugoslavia a credit of 800 million dollars.
10 April ‒ The Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal was adopted in the FRY Assembly, implying the extradition of Yugoslav citizens accused of war crimes at that court.
15 May ‒ The National Bank of Yugoslavia issued a statement that dinar has become convertible in all current international transactions for the first time since 1946, when former Yugoslavia became a member of IMF.
19 November ‒ The EU Secretary-General Kofi Annan visited Belgrade within his Balkan Tour.
6 December ‒ After several months of harmonisation, the Constitutional Commission unanimously adopted the Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in Belgrade.
Year 2003
12 March ‒ The Prime Minister of the Government of Serbia Dr Zoran Đinđić was assassinated. The state of emergency was declared in the territory of Serbia.
3 April ‒ The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was admitted to the Council of Europe.