November 25 is observed as Statehood Day in Bosnia's Croat-Bosniak Federation entity in memory of 25 November 1943 when the country's statehood was confirmed and its existence guaranteed as a separate entity in the future Yugoslav federation.
Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic laid a wreath in Sarajevo at a monument to the liberators of the city in World War II.
"Today is the day when a brave generation confirmed the millenary existence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and opposed nationalism, racism and divisions. It is on us to continue," he said.
Commenting on the fact that Bosnia's Serb entity, Republika Srpska (RS), does not observe this anniversary because it does not recognise the continuity of Bosnia's existence as a state, Izetbegovic said he was confident this date would one day again be a holiday for all in Bosnia.
"One should expect that the need for unity, for being a patriot and an antifacist, and to love one's country will once again come into being in Bosnia."
Presidency Chairman Nebojsa Radmanovic said earlier he and the RS authorities would not accept November 25 as Statehood Day because it was tied to a state that no longer existed. He said the basis for Bosnia's survival should be sought in the Dayton peace agreement.
Radmanovic said he would not attend a Statehood Day reception to be organised by Izetbegovic and the Presidency's Croat member, Zeljko Komsic.
For 17 years, Bosnian authorities have failed to agree on joint holidays, so each of the two entities observes significant days from its history separately.