St. Vitus Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about St. Vitus Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. St. Vitus Day is celebrated on June 28th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of St. Vitus Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as fun facts you may want to know about St. Vitus Day.

📅 What day is St. Vitus Day 2024?

In 2024, St. Vitus Day is on Wednesday, June 28th. It is the 4th Wednesday in June; in 2024, it is Friday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the fun details and facts about June 28, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on June 28, St. Vitus’ Day is observed to honor a 14th-century conflict that represents the ethnic pride of Serbia. Known as “Vidovdan” in Serbian Cyrillic, this religious and national festival, also called “slava,” is a significant celebration that commemorates Saint Prince Lazar and the Serbian holy martyrs who died in the Battle of Kosovo against the Ottoman Empire in 1389, as recognized by the Serbian Orthodox Church. This holiday holds great importance in shaping the Serbian national identity.

📜 St. Vitus Day History

The Serbian declaration of war on the Ottoman Empire in 1876 marked a formal beginning of conflict. The assassination of the crown prince of Austria-Hungary in 1914 ignited the First World War. Notable Montenegrin officers, including Radomir Veovi, planned a revolt in 1916 against the Austro-Hungarian occupiers of Montenegro. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 officially marked the end of World War I.

In 1921, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes adopted a new constitution known as the Vidovdan Constitution, thanks to Serbian King Alexander I. On the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, Serbian President Slobodan Miloevi delivered the Gazimestan address on the battlefield. Montenegro became the 192nd member state of the United Nations in 2006. The Community Assembly of Kosovo and Metohija held its inaugural meeting in 2008. After a closure of 15 years, the National Museum of Serbia reopened to the public in 2018.

✅ St. Vitus Day Facts

🔖 Raspberry exporters
Serbia holds the position of being the second largest exporter of raspberries globally.

🔖 The largest European gorge
The Djerdap Gorge, located in Serbia, holds the distinction of being the longest and tallest gorge in Europe.

🔖 The home to Roman emperors
Historians estimate that Serbia was the birthplace of approximately 18 Roman emperors.

👍 Why Is St. Vitus Day Important

Serbians are well-known for their friendliness. Everyone in Serbia is nice, as anyone who has visited will confirm. Several international polls have named Serbia the world’s most welcoming country.

The celebration of St. Vitus Day dates back to the commencement of the war in 1389. Serbians value the date of celebration because many other significant events have occurred.

Serbia has a rich cultural and historical legacy. The Serbian Orthodox Church is the largest denomination in the country. This festival gives us the opportunity to learn more about this institution and the religious aspect of Serbia in general.

🙂 How To Observe St. Vitus Day

⚡ Visit Serbia

⚡ Read about the battle of Kosovo
Take some time today to delve into the Battle of Kosovo, a significant event in Serbia’s history as it fought against the Ottoman Empire. Explore this important aspect of Serbia’s traditional and national identity, and feel free to discuss your findings with others, sparking an engaging debate about history.

⚡ Visit the Serbian National Museum
You may visit historical monuments in Serbia as part of the celebrations, such as the 55-foot statue of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic in Mitrovica and the town’s ancient monastery. You may attend a pilgrimage liturgy held by Serbian Orthodox clerks at the Gazimestan monument.

📅 When is St. Vitus Day?

Discover all 🔗 June holidays, including 🔗 Religious and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about St. Vitus Day. So be sure to check back soon.