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The period between the Berlin Congress and the Timok Rebellion in the history of the Principality of Serbia was marked by the complete turn of Prince Milan towards Austria-Hungary as the main supporting force of his policy, centered on the Secret Convention which was signed by Čedomilj Mijatović, minister of foreign affairs, confidant and friend of the prince, and on the Austro-Hungarian side ambassador to Belgrade, Baron Herbert. Another important phenomenon is political parties and the beginning of their political struggle.

The second war of the Ottoman Empire and Serbia, which took 708 dead, 2999 wounded, 159 missing and died in the hospital in 1534, showed great endurance of the Serbian army, improvement of its readiness, and a shift in the ability of the command staff. Great military successes were followed only by partial diplomatic successes. But the Berlin Congress changed the situation in the Balkans. Instead of the Ottoman Empire and the Balkan states, the two Great Powers, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, began to have the main say with their occupations, protectorates, and spheres of interest.

Easter, a holiday of holidays, is the foundation of the Christian faith. The Serbian people associate a rich tradition of celebration with it, in the center of which is the coloring and painting of eggs, with which the family knocks and give to guests and relatives, and to which they are connected through other customs. Before the appearance of aniline dyes, many plants rich in pigments were used for coloring eggs, while painting eggs, especially in the batik technique with wax, is a special skill. In some parts, special ritual breads are prepared for Easter, on which eggs are placed.

The first war that the Principality of Serbia waged against the Ottoman Empire was instigated by the Herzegovinian Uprising, and began after the proclamation of war on June 30th, 1876, under Prince Milan M. Obrenović IV. It cost Serbia dearly in terms of human losses and suffering of the occupied parts of the country, but it brought significant moral gain. The common interests of the Serbian people in the Principality and Bosnia were brought before the Court of Europe and enviable national solidarity was shown. The Serbian army and diplomacy were beginning to gain the experience needed for new great efforts.

Representatives of the NATO pact started, starting on March 24th, 1999, an action codenamed “Allied Force”, which in the Republic of Serbia was called “Merciful Angel”. The action included an air campaign to bomb targets in FR Yugoslavia. NATO member states acted without the approval of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Weapons prohibited by international conventions, such as cluster bombs and depleted uranium ammunition, were used in the bombing.

Prince Milan Obrenović and Natalija Petrovna Keshko got married on October 5th/17th, 1875 in the Cathedral Church in Belgrade, and the best men was the Russian Tsar. The wedding was accompanied by a bad omen. A beautiful and sunny day was suddenly ruined, and a storm threatened. After the wedding, the young couple sat in the wedding carriage, but the harnessed horses did not want to move. When they finally did that, they climbed up and almost overturned the carriage with the newlyweds. Rain and darkness covered Belgrade, and the prince and princess were visibly upset.

The Principality of Serbia became the Kingdom of Serbia on March 6, 1882, according to the new calendar, and February 22, according to the old calendar. According to the testimony of Slobodan Jovanović, this important date was marked by platoons from the Belgrade Fortress. The whole town was decorated with flags, the circle was played in the middle of Terazije, and the young king honored the people’s deputies in the court. After the proclamation of the Kingdom of Milan M. Obrenović IV received congratulations and deputations from all over the country.

The year 2022 is the year of the jubilee, when we mark 140 years since Serbia was proclaimed a kingdom, and when our city got its current name, Kraljevo. Therefore, during the year, we will talk about the life and reign of the prince, and the later king, Milan M. Obrenović IV, the main actor in these historical events.

The Feast of Sretenje on February 15th is marked as the Statehood Day in memory of the word in the village of Orašac near Topola on the Ascension Day in 1804, which began the First Serbian Uprising and as the Constitution Day in memory of the first Constitution of the Principality of Serbia – Sretenje Constitution.

The year 2022 is the year of the jubilee, when we mark 140 years since Serbia was proclaimed a kingdom, and when our city got its current name, Kraljevo. Therefore, during the year, we will talk about the life and reign of the prince, and the later king, Milan M. Obrenović IV, the main actor in these historical events.