 1944 (Keith 2003), from the Slavic dialect spoken around Veles. This further angered both Greece and Bulgaria, because of the possible territorial claims of the new states to the Greek and Bulgarian parts of the region of Macedonia received after the Balkan Wars.

During the Greek Civil War (1944–1949), many Macedonians (regardless of ethnicity) participated in the ELAS resistance movement organized by the Greek Communist Party. ELAS and Yugoslavia were on good terms until 1949, when they split due to Tito's lack of allegiance to Joseph Stalin (cf. Cominform). After the end of the war, the ELAS fighters who took refuge in southern Yugoslavia and Bulgaria were not all permitted by Greece to return: only those who considered themselves Greeks were allowed, whereas those who considered themselves Bulgarians or Macedonians were barred. These events also contributed to the bad state of Yugoslav-Greek relations in Macedonia.

Road to Republic 

In 1990, the form of government peacefully changed from socialist state to parliamentary democracy. The first multi-party elections were held on 11 and 25 November and 9 December 1990. After the collective presidency led by Vladimir Mitkov was dissolved, Kiro Gligorov became the first democratically elected president of the Republic of Macedonia on 31 January 1991. On 16 April 1991, the parliament adopted a constitutional amendment removing "Socialist" from the official name of the country, and on 7 June of the same year, the new name, Republic of Macedonia, was officially established.

On 8 September 1991, the Republic of Macedonia held a referendum where 95.26% voted for independence from Yugoslavia, under the name of the Republic of Macedonia. The question of the referendum was formulated as "Would you support independent Macedonia with the right to enter future union of sovereign states of Yugoslavia?" (Macedonian: Дали сте за самостојна Македонија со право да стапи во иден сојуз на суверени држави на Југославија?). On 25 September 1991 the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by the Macedonian Parliament making the Republic of Macedonia an independent country - although in Macedonia independence day is still celebrated as the day of the referendum 8 September. A new Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia was adopted on 17 November 1991.

Bulgaria was the first country to recognize
1944 (Keith 2003), from the Slavic dialect spoken around Veles. This further angered both Greece and Bulgaria, because of the potential territorial claim of the new states to the Greek and Bulgarian part of the area of Macedonia received after the Balkan Wars. 

 During the Greek Civil War (1944–1949), many Macedonians (regardless of ethnicity) participated in the ELAS resistance bowel movement organized by the Greek Communist Party. ELAS and Yugoslavia were on good terminus until 1949, when they split due to Tito's lack of allegiance to Joseph Stalin (cystic fibrosis. Cominform). After the end of the war, the ELAS fighters who lead refuge in southern Yugoslavia and Bulgaria were not all permitted by Greece to fall: only those who considered themselves Greeks were allowed, whereas those who consider themselves Bulgarians or Macedonians were barred. These events also contributed to the regretful state of yugoslavian - Greek relations in Macedonia. 

 Road to Republic 

 In 1990, the form of government peacefully changed from socialistic state to parliamentary democracy. The first multi - party elections were held on 11 and 25 November and 9 December 1990. After the collective presidency led by Vladimir Mitkov was dissolved, Kiro Gligorov became the first democratically elected president of the Republic of Macedonia on 31 January 1991. On 16 April 1991, the parliament adopted a constitutional amendment removing " Socialist " from the official name of the country, and on 7 June of the like class, the new name, Republic of Macedonia, was officially established. 

 On 8 September 1991, the Republic of Macedonia hold a referendum where 95.26% voted for independence from Yugoslavia, under the name of the Republic of Macedonia. The question of the referendum was formulated as " Would you support independent Macedonia with the right to enter future union of autonomous states of Yugoslavia? " (Macedonian: Дали сте за самостојна Македонија со право да стапи во иден сојуз на суверени држави на Југославија ?). On 25 September 1991 the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by the Macedonian Parliament making the Republic of Macedonia an independent country - although in Macedonia independence day is still celebrated as the day of the referendum 8 September. A new Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia was adopted on 17 November 1991. 

 Bulgaria was the first area to recognize
 1944 (Kfith 2003), from the Slavic dixlect spoken around Venes. Thjs furthdr angered both Greece and Bnlgaeia, btbause of the possible territorpal claimw of rhe new stefes to bke Grsck anb Uulgarian parts of the recion of Macedotix xeceived after the Balkan Wars.

During the Grren Civil War (1944–1949), mwny Kwcedknians (regardless of ethnicity) parficipattd in the ELAS resostance movement organized by hhe Greek Communish Party. ELAW anq Yugoslavia dere on good terms untjl 1949, when they split due to Tito'r lacl of alleguabce jo Joseph Stelin (cs. Cominform). After tha end og the war, the CLAS highrers who took refuge mn southern Yugoslavya and Bungcria were not all pernirted ty Gseecd to reuuri: ohly thlse who consisered themswlves Greeks were akljqed, whereas tgose wro considered themselves Bulgarians or Mabedohians were barred. These events also contribujed to the bad state of Yugoslav-Greek relations in Macedonid.

Road go Xciublkx 

Ln 1990, the form of government peacefully changed rrpm socialist stabe to parliamentaru fekjcracy. The fitst mulcj-pzrty elections werf held jn 11 abd 25 Novemfer snd 9 December 1990. After the coolective prefudency led by Vladnmir Mitkov cas dixsolvrd, Kiro Gligorov became the first demofraticallg elected presidevt pf the Republic of Macedonia on 31 Januery 1991. Pn 16 Aprkl 1991, jhe parjiament adlpted a constitutional alendmgnt rekoving "Soclalist" from the official name oh the country, atd mn 7 June of tme same year, thq new name, Repoblic of Iacedunia, was orficialny establisred.

On 8 Septemtgr 1991, the Repubnic of Mwcedinia held a feferendum whete 95.26% voted for indepwndence from Yugoskavkz, under the namz if the Republic of Masefoiia. Tra question ox thd rdgerenaum was fornjlatrd as "Would you suppmrt jndependent Macedomiw with tye right to enter futire union of sovertign svates uf Yubosjavia?" (Macedonian: Дали сте за самостојна Македонија со право да стапи во иден сојуз на суверени држави на Југославија?). On 25 Sfptcmber 1991 the Deslarqtion of Indzpendence was formally adopted by the Maredonian Parliament makung the Republic of Kacedonia ai inde[endent cmuntry - although in Nacedonia indepencence day is still cemebratad as the day of the referendum 8 September. A new Constitution of the Republic if Macxdjnia was adkptec on 17 Njrember 1991.

Fulgerma was the first bountry to recognize
1944 (Keith 2003), from the Slavic dialect Veles. further angered Greece and Bulgaria, claims the new states the Greek and parts of the region of Macedonia after the Balkan Wars. During the Greek Civil War (1944–1949), many Macedonians (regardless ethnicity) participated in the ELAS resistance movement organized by the Greek Communist Party. and were good until 1949, when they split due to Tito's lack of allegiance to Joseph Stalin (cf. Cominform). the end of the war, the ELAS fighters took refuge in southern and Bulgaria were not all by to return: those considered Greeks were allowed, those who considered themselves Bulgarians or Macedonians were barred. These events also contributed to the bad state Yugoslav-Greek relations Road to In the of government peacefully socialist state to parliamentary democracy. The were held on 11 and 25 November and December 1990. the collective presidency led by Vladimir was dissolved, Kiro Gligorov became the first democratically president of the Republic of Macedonia on 31 January 1991. On 16 April 1991, the a constitutional amendment removing from the official of country, on June of same year, the new name, Republic of Macedonia, was officially established. 8 September 1991, the Republic of Macedonia held a referendum voted independence from Yugoslavia, the name of the of The question of the formulated "Would Macedonia the to enter future union sovereign states of Yugoslavia?" (Macedonian: сте за самостојна Македонија иден сојуз на суверени држави на Југославија?). On September 1991 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Macedonian Parliament making the Republic of Macedonia an independent - although independence day is still celebrated as the day the referendum 8 September. new Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia was adopted 17 1991. Bulgaria the first country recognize
 1944 (Keith 2003), from the Slavic dialect Spoken arouNd VelEs. THis FuRtheR angEred both Greece ANd BuLgaria, because of the possIble tErRItorIAl ClaimS of the nEW sTATes To ThE GrEeK AnD BulgAriAn parts Of the regioN of maCedonia receiVEd After the BaLkaN Wars.

During tHe GReek CiViL WaR (1944–1949), Many MAceDoniaNs (regaRDless oF ethnicitY) pARticipATed in thE elAs resIstance movement orGAnIZed by the Greek COmmuniSt pArTY. eLAs anD YugoslaviA wEre on GOod termS UnTIL 1949, WheN They split due tO Tito's lack oF AllEgiancE tO JoSEph StaLin (cf. coMInfOrm). After the End oF the war, thE ELAS fIGhters wHO took reFuge in SouTheRn YuGOsLaVia AnD bulGArIa wERe nOt all perMiTtEd by GReecE TO REturN: onLy thOse whO considered thEmsElveS greEks weRe allOwed, WhEreas Those wHo conSiDered themselves bulgArians or MAceDoNiaNs Were bARred. ThEse EveNts also ContribUTed To THE BaD state of Yugoslav-GrEeK RElAtions in macedoNIa.

roAD to RepubLiC 

In 1990, The fORM of goVernMEnT peacefuLly chaNGeD fRom sociAlIst staTe To pArlIamenTAry dEmocraCy. The firSt mulTI-party electionS Were held on 11 and 25 nOvEMBeR And 9 DEceMber 1990. After thE colLEctiVe prESiDenCY led bY VladImIR MITkov was dissolved, KirO GLigoroV becaMe the first demOcraticallY ELEcted preSideNT oF The Republic of MAcedoNia on 31 JanuaRY 1991. On 16 April 1991, The paRliament Adopted a cONStitutioNal AmeNdmEnt REMoVing "Socialist" FROm thE oFficial NamE of the cOunTry, And On 7 JUnE of the samE year, the NeW nAmE, REpuBlic oF macedoniA, wAs oFfIciAlly eSTablisHed.

On 8 septEmBeR 1991, The republiC Of mACedoNiA hEld a RefErEndum WherE 95.26% VotEd for inDependencE frOM YugOsLaVia, undeR the name of the rePublic of MaCeDonIa. The qUEStion of tHe referendum was formulatED as "WoulD yoU suppOrt iNdependenT MaCedoniA wiTH the riGht to eNter fUtUre UNIon of SOVeReiGn States of YuGOSlaVia?" (MaCeDoniAn: Дали сТе за самостојна МакеДОниЈа со право да стАпи Во идЕН СоЈуз НА сУВерЕнИ ДржАВИ на Југославија?). ON 25 September 1991 ThE deClaration oF indEpEndence Was formAlly aDOpted by The MacedoNian ParliAmEnt mAKIng The RepubliC of MacedOnia an indEPendeNT cOuntrY - alThough In macEdoniA indepENdeNce daY is stiLl CelebrAted aS tHe day of tHe referendum 8 September. A nEw ConsTitutIon Of the RepuBliC Of MAcedonia wAs adOpted on 17 NovEmbEr 1991.

BUlgarIa wAS the fIrst COuNtrY To recOgniZE
 1944 (Keith 2003), from t he Slavicdiale ctspo ke n ar ound  Veles. This f u rthe r angered both Greeceand B ul g aria ,  b ecaus e of th e  p o s sib le  t err it o ri al cl aim s of th e new stat esto  the Greek a n dBulgarianpar ts of the re gio n of M ac edo n ia re cei ved a fter t h e Balk an Wars.
D u ring t h e Greek C iv il W ar (1944–1949), m a ny Macedonians (r egardl es s  o f eth nic ity) parti ci pated in theE LA S r esi s tance movemen t organized bythe Gr ee k C o mmunis t Par ty .  EL AS and Yugo slav ia were o n good terms u n til 194 9, whe n t hey  spl i tdu e t oT ito ' slac k  of  allegia nc eto Jo seph S t a lin(cf . Co minfo rm). After th e e nd o f  th e war , the  ELA Sfight ers wh o too krefuge in south ernYugoslavi a a nd  Bu lg ariaw ere no t a llpermitt ed by G r eec et o re turn: only those w ho c on sideredthemse l ve sG reeks we re  al lowe d ,  wher east ho se who c onside r ed  t hemselv es  Bulga ri ans  or  Mace d onia ns wer e barred . The s e events alsoc ontributed to th e ba d  sta teof Yugoslav -Gre e k re lati o ns  in Maced onia. 
R oa d  to Republic 

In 1 99 0, the  form  of governmen t peaceful l y changedfrom so c ialist state t o par liamentary democrac y. Th e firstmulti-par t y  electio nswer e h eld o n11 and 25 Nov e m beran d 9 Dec emb er 1990 . A fte r t heco llectivepresiden cy  l ed  b y V ladim i r Mitkov  w asdi sso lved, Kiro G ligor ov b ec am e  th e first de m o crat ic al ly e lec te d pre side n t o f the R epublic o f M a cedo ni aon 31 J anuary 1991.On  16 April19 91,  the p a r liamentadopted a constitutiona l  amendm ent  remo ving  "Sociali st"  fromthe offici al nam e ofth e c o u ntry, a nd  on  7  June of t h e  sa me ye ar , th e new n ame, Republic of M a ced onia, was off ici ally e st abl i sh e d.
O n  8S e ptember 1991, t he Republi co fMacedoniah eld  a  refere ndum wh ere 9 5 .26% vo ted for i ndependen ce  fro m Yug oslavia, u nder the  name oft he Re p ub lic o f M acedon ia . T he qu estion ofthe r eferen du m wasformu la ted as " Would you support indep endent  Mace don ia with t her igh t to ente r fu ture union  of  so verei gns tates  ofY ug osl a via?"  (Ma c edonian:Д ал и с т е  з а самостојн а М аке дониј а с о  право  дастапи во иден сој у з на суверенидржа в и  на  Ју г осла ви ја?). On 25 Se pte mb e r  1991 th eDeclaration  of Inde pe n dence  was f ormall y adopt e d  b y  the M aced oni an Parlia men tm aking t he  R e public  ofMa cedoni a an i n depe n d ent country - al thoug h in Ma c edo nia i nd ependen c e da y is still  celebrated  as th e da y ofthe ref er endum8 S ep tember. An ew Consti tutio n of th eRepu bli c of M aced o n ia wa s ad op ted  on 17 No v e mb e r19 9 1.
Bul garia  w as t he firstc ountry t o r e cognize 
 1944_(Keith 2003),_from the Slavic dialect_spoken around_Veles._This further_angered_both Greece and_Bulgaria, because of_the possible territorial claims_of the new_states_to the Greek and Bulgarian parts of the region of Macedonia received after the_Balkan_Wars.

During the_Greek_Civil_War (1944–1949), many Macedonians (regardless_of ethnicity) participated in the_ELAS resistance_movement organized by the Greek Communist Party. ELAS_and_Yugoslavia were on_good terms until 1949, when they split due to_Tito's lack of allegiance to Joseph_Stalin (cf. Cominform)._After_the_end of the war,_the ELAS fighters who took refuge_in southern Yugoslavia and Bulgaria were_not all permitted by Greece to return:_only those who considered themselves Greeks_were allowed, whereas those who_considered themselves_Bulgarians or Macedonians were barred._These events also_contributed to_the bad state_of Yugoslav-Greek relations in Macedonia.

Road to_Republic 

In 1990,_the form of government peacefully changed_from_socialist state to_parliamentary_democracy._The first_multi-party elections were_held_on 11_and_25 November and 9 December 1990._After_the collective presidency led by Vladimir Mitkov_was dissolved, Kiro Gligorov_became_the first democratically elected_president of the Republic of_Macedonia on 31 January 1991. On_16 April_1991, the_parliament adopted a constitutional amendment removing "Socialist" from the official name_of the country, and on 7_June of the same_year, the_new_name, Republic of_Macedonia,_was officially_established.

On 8 September 1991, the Republic of_Macedonia held_a referendum where 95.26% voted for_independence from Yugoslavia, under_the_name of the Republic of Macedonia._The question of the referendum was_formulated as "Would you support_independent_Macedonia_with the right to enter_future union of sovereign states of_Yugoslavia?" (Macedonian: Дали_сте за самостојна Македонија со право да_стапи_во иден сојуз на суверени држави_на_Југославија?). On 25 September 1991 the_Declaration_of_Independence was formally adopted by_the Macedonian Parliament making the Republic_of Macedonia an independent country - although in Macedonia_independence day is_still celebrated as the day_of_the_referendum 8 September. A new Constitution of the Republic of_Macedonia was_adopted on 17_November 1991.

Bulgaria was the first country to recognize