Tarnovo Constitution
On 5 October 1908 (celebrated on 22 September), Ferdinand proclaimed Bulgaria's "de jure" independence from the Ottoman Empire (though the country had been "de facto" independent since 1878). He also proclaimed Bulgaria a kingdom, and assumed the title of "tsar"—a deliberate nod to the rulers of the earlier Bulgarian states. However, while the title "tsar" was translated as "emperor" in the First and Second Bulgarian empires, it was translated as "king" under Ferdinand and his successors. The Bulgarian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by him at the Holy Forty Martyrs Church in Tarnovo, and was recognized by Turkey and the other European powers. The Tarnovo Constitution was retained, with the word "prince" replaced by the word "tsar."