Macedonia marks 74th anniversary of anti-fascist uprising

Macedonia marks on Sunday the 74th anniversary of the start of the anti-fascist uprising and the national liberation struggle.

On this occasion Macedonian Parliament Speaker, Trajko Veljanoski, said on Saturday that "Oct. 11 (National Uprising Day) is the day when we remember the period of the World War II, may we recall positive examples of our history."

"Macedonia is determined to win today's battles for economic development, foreign investments, quality living standards and democracy," he stressed during his speech.

Veljanoski also urged unity, national and state consensus, accountability and autonomy to be demonstrated when solving problems and called for more engagements in integrating Macedonia into NATO and the EU.

On this occasion, Oct. 11 Award for 2015, a traditional ritual, was presented at the Macedonian Assembly on Sunday. The awards were assigned to four academics and professors for their accomplishments in the fields of education and science.

Oct. 11, 1941 marks the beginning of the Macedonian people's uprising against fascism during World War II. The Axis powers controlled the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, of which Macedonia was a part. On Oct. 11, 1941, the people of Macedonia began to organize and mount an armed insurrection against fascist occupiers with an attack on the local Axis headquarters in the city of Prilep, located in the Vardar region of Macedonia.

The occupation of Macedonia resulted in 58,000 people killed and brought to the country huge economic damages. Enditem