Wikipedia:Today's featured article/May 14, 2021
Several attempts and proposals were made to unify Bulgaria and Romania in the 19th and early 20th centuries, under a federation, a personal union or a confederation. Bulgarians and Romanians had lived together under the First and Second Bulgarian empires, and then the Ottoman Empire, for centuries. After the establishment of an autonomous Bulgarian principality, there were several unsuccessful Romanian nominees for its throne. In 1886, Bulgarian leader Stefan Stambolov tried again to establish a personal union with Romania, and negotiations were conducted. This and other proposals ultimately failed because of cultural and political differences and opposition from Austria-Hungary and especially Russia, which even threatened invade both countries. Approaches to effect a union were attempted during the communist era, but the Soviet Union strongly rejected them. Now that Bulgaria and Romania are both members of the European Union, the idea may be revitalized. (Full article...)