Commemorative Cross of the Independence of Bulgaria

The Commemorative Cross “For the Independence of Bulgaria, 1908” (Възпоменателният кръст „За независимостта на България 1908 година“) was a Bulgarian decoration awarded in the Kingdom of Bulgaria on the occasion of independence, and is usually considered a medal.

The medal was established in the first half of 1909 by a rescript of the 14th National Assembly. Many veterans of the uprisings, as well as officers and non-commissioned officers, were awarded the medal. The decoration was also received by the entire royal family, and numerous state officials and representatives of the intelligentsia. According to the register of recipients of the Commemorative Cross “For Independence,” the decoration was awarded to 11,490 people.

The “For Independence” medal is shaped like a Romanian (double) cross, with arms 40 mm long, and is made of bronze. There is a version for men, with a rectangular ribbon, and one for women, with a bow-shaped ribbon. The women who received the medal were mainly the wives of prominent military and state officials, as well as some ladies-in-waiting.