145 years of Bulgarian Postal Communications - the anniversaries of the establishment of Bulgarian Postal Communications and the release of the first Bulgarian postage stamp into circulation are celebrated.On May 1, 1879, the first Bulgarian postage stamps, called "santimi" at the time, were put into circulation. They were printed at the State Russian Printing House in St. Petersburg.
Their nominal value was 5 centimes, as there was no Bulgarian currency at that time. They depicted a standing lion with a crown as a symbol of the bravery and struggles of the Bulgarian people for liberation.
"Temporary Rules for the Postal Sector in Bulgaria" came into force on May 1, 1879 (May 13, New Style), and on that day the first Bulgarian postage stamp was put into use and the Postal Administration was established.
Two years later, the Temporary Statute for Posts and Telegraphs, adopted by Decree 275 of April 24, 1881, affirmed the state's exclusive right over postal and telegraphic communications.