This special episode commemorates Bulgaria's transition from the Lev to the Euro on Jan 1st 2026 by looking back on the 145 year history of the currency. Timeline for this episode: 1879, Jan - The Bulgarian National Bank is founded. 1881 - The first Lev coins are introduced and pegged to the French Franc. 1885 - The first paper banknotes are introduced. Despite being backed by gold, they are not widely adopted and are soon recalled. 1908 - Most Leva are backed by gold after n

Major Characters in this Episode: Tsar Boris III Andrey Toshev Damyan Velchev Hermann Gorring Georgi Kiosseivanov Timeline for this episode: 1935, May 25th - After Bulgarian students at high schools in Romanian-occupied Dobrich strike under the guidance of the IDRO, the Romanian government closes all Bulgarian schools and cultural societies in Dobrich, Balchik, and Kavarna. 1935, May 26-28th - Hermann Goering visits Sofia as a part of a wider visit to strengthen ties to the B

In Greece, the triumph of the monarchist faction has brought about a return of the King alongside a military dictatorship. Meanwhile, the old guard faction of the Bulgarian communists is triumphant as well, liquidating the left-sectarian faction and taking full control of the organization. But at home, Tsar Boris outplays the opposition to take further control of the government. Major Characters in this Episode: Tsar Boris III King George II of Greece General Metaxas Georgi D

As the Zveno and Military League government focuses on implementing its reforms, it suddenly finds that it has been outplayed by an unlikely opponent. Major Characters in this Episode: Adolf Hitler Tsar Boris III Kimon Georgeiv General Vatev King Aleksander of Yugoslavia Prince Paul of Yugoslavia Petko Zlatev Timeline for this episode: 1934, Jul 30th - Internal and external opponents of the Nazis in Germany are murdered in the Night of the Long Knives. 1934, Aug 2nd - Hitler

After the May 19th coup, the new government quick sets about abolishing the constitution and ruling by decree. Major Characters in this Episode: Tsar Boris III Kimon Georgeiv Princess Marie-Louise Tsarina Giovanna Timeline for this episode: 1934, May 30th - Zveno dissolves itself. 1934, End of May - Mass arrests of activities and armed groups of the IDRO. 1934, Jun 9th - The Directorate of Public Renewal is established to censor the press, control public life, and generally e

As the Mushanov government falls prey to infighting and corruption, forces within the military, political establishment, and even the palace make plans to end the malaise and remake the state. Major Characters in this Episode: Prime Minister Nikola Mushanov Alexander Tsankov Tsar Boris III Kimon Georgeiv General Vatev Timeline for this episode: 1932, Sep 7th - Prime Minister Mushanov makes key changes in his government. 1932, Sep 25th - Municipal elections in Sofia see the Wo

Yugoslavia gets a new constitution, the VMRO takes its violence to a new level, and Bulgaria gets brought ever closer to an increasingly authoritarian Germany. Major Characters in this Episode: Prime Minister Andrey Lyapchev Prime Minister Nikola Mushanov King Aleksander of Yugoslavia Tsar Boris III of Bulgaria Adolf Hitler Hermann Goering Georgi Dimitrov Timeline for this episode: 1931, Sep 3rd - King Aleksander of Yugoslavia announces a new constitution. 1932, Sep 7th - Pri

Major Characters in this Episode: Prime Minister Andrey Lyapchev Prime Minister Alexander Malinov Prime Minister Nikola Mushanov...

As the Great Depression spreads across the globe, Bulgaria is particularly vulnerable for a multitude of reasons. Meanwhile, the...

The stage is set for a final showdown between Stamboliiski and his long list of enemies. In the aftermath of that coup, Bulgaria...

With the onset of the 1920s, Bulgaria's firebrand Agrarian leader Alexander Stamboliiski rises to become the preeminent political power...

In Bulgaria and throughout the Balkans it seems that political experiments are coming to an end. Democracy is ending in Yugoslavia,...

While the moderate Prime Minister Lyapchev may have won the most recent election, his government struggles to combat radical factions...

In power since the coup of 1923, Tsankov is finally brought down. But as a moderate government takes power in Bulgaria for the first time...

In the aftermath of the brutal bombing of the Sveta Nedelya church the Tsankov regime unleashes a new terror on its enemies. At the same...

As the Tsankov regime cracks down even harder on leftists, the underground communist movement strikes back with horrific consequences....

As the Tsankov regime tightens its grip on power, opposition to its policies is generating unexpected and controversial partnerships....

The Comintern's orders are clear. The Bulgarian Communist Party is to mount an uprising to overthrow the newly installed fascist regime...

How did the seemingly dominant Agrarian regime of Alexander Stamboliiski collapse so quickly and what can the successes, failures, and...

After years of waiting for the right moment to strike, the enemies of Stamboliiski's agrarian regime finally make their move. Major...