On this day 7th June 879 in a letter by the Holy Father the Pope John VIII to Croatian Duke Branimir Trpimirović, calling him Beloved Son, recognized his sovereignty . The Pope in a Holy Mass held on the Feast of the Ascension (21st May 879) blessed and recognized the temporal authority of Duke Branimir over Croatia. This is the first international recognition of Croatian statehood, as well as celebrated as the Day of Croatian diplomacy.
On this occasion the leadership of the Croatian Royal Council congratulates all the members as well as supporters of our non-governmental organization. In this celebratory moments we must remember the sacrifice given for achieving the continuity and survival of our statehood over the past millennia. Croatian statehood does not base itself on the 20th century, nor is Croatia a (new)creation of the 20th century, but one of the oldest European countries in continuity. Which statehood goes back into the early Medieval period.
