Today, Bulgarian students celebrate their holiday, established over the years. The beginning was laid in 1897 with the idea of a special holiday for the first higher education institution in Bulgaria.
The Academic Council of the Higher School determined November 25 (December 8 in the new style), the day of St. Clement of Ohrid, as its holiday as early as 1902. The holiday was first celebrated in 1903.
In 1905, November 25 was established as the patron saint's day of the already Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski“. The transition to the Gregorian calendar in 1916 shifted the date to December 8.
In 1944 the holiday was abolished, and then restored in 1962. The Academic Council of Sofia University celebrates both holidays - November 25 (the patron saint's day) and December 8 (a secular holiday).
December 8 remains a symbol of the holiday and was declared a non-school day for all students in 1994.