Death of President Franjo Tuđman

After a decade at the head of the country, the first Croatian president passed away at the age of 77. In spite of difficult circumstances, this former member of resistance to Nazism knew how to lead Croatia to independence, build a modern army and liberate occupied territories, launch a vast programme of reconstruction, as well as establish stable democratic institutions. He thus provided the country with solid foundations which would later enable it to join NATO and the European Union.

1999

10 December

Photo: Zoran Filipović

Croats pay homage to "the father of independence"

After the announcement that President Franjo Tuđman, the first president of the Republic and the leader of Croatia's independence, had passed away, many Croats paid homage to the architect of Croatia's renaissance. Thousands of candles were lit in public places throughout the country.