The then Sabor of the Republic of Croatia adopted the Decision at a joint session of all of its councils, clearly indicating that Croatia had embarked on the path towards severing ties with the republics which made up the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), as well as towards its international recognition.
At the same session the Sabor adopted a declaration proclaiming Croatia's sovereignty and independence.
These historic decisions ensued after a referendum held in May at which over 94 percent of Croatian citizens stated that Croatia should not remain in the SFRY.
In the early summer of 1991, Croatia encountered the rebellion of local Serbs and attacks on its cities and villages.
The constitutional decision, however, was not applied immediately, its enforcement was postponed due to international pressure on Zagreb and promises that negotiations on disassociation would be conducted later in an easier manner. The Brijuni Declaration imposed a three-month moratorium which expired on 8 October 1991, when Croatia definitely severed all constitutional ties with other republics in the Yugoslav federation and became an independent country.
Statehood Day was first celebrated on 30 May in tribute to the establishment of the first multiparty Sabor on 30 May 1990.
After the former coalition government, led by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), came to power in 2001, some changes were made to the calendar of state holidays. According to the relevant law, 25 June is celebrated as Statehood Day and 8 October as Independence Day, also a bank holiday.
Under the same law, 30 May is the memorial day of the national parliament and it is not a bank holiday.
This year, the central Statehood Day ceremony will be held in the eastern city of Vukovar, and top state officials, including President Stjepan Mesic, are expected to attend.