Romania History

History: Romania's history began when ancient Dacia was conquered and become a part of the early Roman Empire. During the 6th century A.D., Slavonic peoples came and settled. Soon after, the emerging civilization was marked by its location at the crossroads of three major regions: Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The Romanian nation state took the name of Romania and settled its capital in Bucharest in early 1862.

Assisted by Mihail Kogalniceanu, his closest adviser, Alexandru Ioan Cuza initiated a reform program, which contributed to the modernisation of the Romanian society and state structures.

After the abdication of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1866), Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a relative of the royal family of Prussia, who was supported by Napoleon III and Bismark, was proclaimed on May 10, 1866, following a plebiscite, ruling prince of Romania, with the name of Carol I. And finally, Romania proclaimed its sovereign independence in 1877.

When World War I broke out, Romania declared neutrality. Two years later, in August 1916 the country joined the Allies, which promised support for the accomplishment of national unity. When the war ended in 1918, all the territories inhabited by Romanians were united within Romania.

Romania declared neutrality two decades later during the Second World War, but supported Poland. The defeats suffered by France and Great Britain in 1940 created a dramatic situation for Romania. The Soviet government applied Plank 3 of the secret protocol of August 23, 1939 and forced Romania by the ultimatum notes of June 26 and 28, 1940 to cede not only Bessarabia, but also Northern Bukovina and the Hertza land (the latter two had never belonged to Russia).

Under the Vienna Award - actually a dictate - (August 30, 1940) Germany and Italy gave to Hungary the northeastern part of Transylvania, where the majority population was Romanian. Following the Romanian-Bulgarian talks in Craiova, a treaty was signed on September 7, 1940, under which the south of Dobrudja (the Quadrilateral) went to Bulgaria. The end of the war saw Romania at the side of the Allies; but soon after, under the Soviet domination, it shared the fate of other Central and East-European countries. The Russians brought communism to Romania and installed the dictator, Nicolae Ceaucescu, who ruled in tyranny until he was overthrown in the late 1980s.

The popular revolt in December 1989 overthrew the Ceausescus dictatorship and his totalitarian communist regime. It opened the way to the restoration of democracy and the market economy, as well as to Romania's full integration into cultural Europe, to which it has always belonged. Presently, Romania has continued to strive towards hastening the process of economic and political reform, towards strengthening democracy and its institutions. The country is now a republic. The head of state - the President - is elected by direct ballot. The capital city, Bucharest, has approximately 2,000 000 inhabitants.

The main religion is the Romanian Greek Orthodoxism (86.9%). The other significant denominations in Romania are: Roman Catholicism (5%), Lutheranism, Calvinism (3.5%), Greek-Catholicism (1%), Pentecostalism (1%), Baptism (0.5%), Islamism (0.24%) and Judaism (0.04%).Romania Custom.

Many Romanians have made their homes in the United States. In 1990 a study was conducted that showed the geographic distribution of Romanians in America.

Customs and Folklore: Romania holds a wealth of folk tales, legends, poetry, music and dance passed on through the centuries. One popular custom, which is known by several names including "The Girls Fair," "Dance of Maidens," or "Targul de Fête," takes place on the third Sunday of each July on a mountain peak known as Gaina. This colorful tradition finds its roots in an old-time ritual dating back to the the Dacians, or third century BC, and is connected to weddings.

Originally the celebration consisted of a gathering of all the young men in the village around a fire to sing and drink till dawn. At daybreak the celebration moved to the mountain peak, and would include wives and the young women of the town. Dancing was obligatory for girls.

While goods such as cherries, honey, strong drinks, woodcarving and pottery were traded and sold, the most important moment came when the trading of the girls took place. Each young woman's parents' would deck their table with a delicious assortment of pies, roasted chicken and strong drinks ("palinca") and begin negotiations with the parents of a local boy.

If both sets of parents reached an understanding, the girl and her dowry were balanced on a beam and she would become promised to their son. This custom was very popular, partly because at that time young people were not allowed to meet on their own. This ceremony provided a chance for them to get together in the presence of elders, who would sit on the grass and watch the young people dancing and singing.

Today the custom is celebrated with local youth wearing the same kinds costumes and dancing the same steps to tunes played on instruments traditional to their forefathers. It is wonderful opportunities for visitors to experience the amalgam of the people who make up Romania.

Undoubtably Romania's most notorious legend is that of Dracula. Dracula's birth name was Vlad Tepes. Born in Sighisoara (situated in the center of Romania) in 1431, Vlad was named after his father. The name means, "Son of a Dragon," and Vlad's father was part of the Order of the Dragon. The Order of the Dragon, created by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, was designed as an alliance to fight the Turks.

During this time, Romania was ruled by many independent rulers who were in charge of a number of small states.Vlad Tepes was a ruler for a state called Wallachia which is located just south of Transylvania. As a very strict ruler, Vlad Tepes had some Devilish habits such as drinking human blood to promote other's fear. It was not unusual for the victor of a war in those times to drink the blood of his defeating enemy. Whether Dracula took it a few steps further is not known for certain.

When he controlled Wallachia not Transylvania, he set the much high level of punishment even for just petty crimes. People were hung very easily in those days with little mercy. Not only were they hung but some were executed/tortured by having a sharp-end pole stricken. Count Dracula would then have these poles stood up by the side of the road. Whenever by-passers would see the type of punishment Dracula administered to his enemies or to those who did even minor wrong. So naturally people had come to try to be honest not to be punished by Count Dracula. This act of impaling people earned him the name Vlad Tepes (Vlad The Impaler).

Finally in 1476 Vlad Tepes is assassinated. In current day Romanian, the word Dracula is synonymous with the word "Devil."

Travel Tips:

Beer and Wine: Romania is a beer country first and foremost, and the beer is both good and, compared with the rest of Europe, unbelievably cheap. Romanian vineyards date back to Roman times, and pre-World War II quality was very high. During the reign of communism, Romania's vines were downgraded to a lesser level in order to produce plonk for the undiscerning Russian masses. In latter years, however, the quality has risen and now a good, though limited, range of high quality wines are available, all at bargain prices. If you visit the country's wine producing regions, you can sample them.

Etiquette: Romanians in their own homes are fabulous hosts. You had better be hungry, because the food would be enough there. You may bring something, flowers, chocolates or a bottle of good whisky. You will probably be offered local brandy, tuica, or its more refined brother palinca. You may as well because you cannot escape its all-embracing charm. Most Romanians love to chat their country, its politics, problems and history. Don’t be surprised if they ask you very direct questions about your views on religion and homosexuality. If you are diplomatic in response, it would be good.

Money: There are many places throughout the city to change money, with all major foreign currencies accepted. The exchange offices (casa de schimb) offer better rates than banks and usually show their rates on a board outside in the street. Technically, it is illegal for foreigners to exchange lei into foreign currencies. You must need ID when changing money.

Tipping: You should never tip a taxi driver. Always wait until he has counted out the small change into your hand, no matter how little that amount may be, then give it back. In restaurants and bars always 10 percent tip is enough, and no more, and then only if the service is excellent.

		Geography: Among the European countries, Romania ranks as medium-sized. Its neighbors are Bulgaria (South), Yugoslavia (Southwest), Hungary (Northwest), Ukraine (North), Moldavia (East), the Black Sea (East). Romanian climate is continental, meaning hot summers and cold winters. The seasons are very distinct, with foggy winters, bringing abundant snowfalls, although mostly in the mountain areas. Summer days are most often sunny, with frequent showsers and thunderstorms, which are also concentrated more in the mountain areas.
History: Romania's history began when ancient Dacia was conquered and become a part of the early Roman Empire. During the 6th century A.D., Slavonic peoples came and settled. Soon after, the emerging civilization was marked by its location at the crossroads of three major regions: Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The Romanian nation state took the name of Romania and settled its capital in Bucharest in early 1862. Assisted by Mihail Kogalniceanu, his closest adviser, Alexandru Ioan Cuza initiated a reform program, which contributed to the modernisation of the Romanian society and state structures. After the abdication of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1866), Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a relative of the royal family of Prussia, who was supported by Napoleon III and Bismark, was proclaimed on May 10, 1866, following a plebiscite, ruling prince of Romania, with the name of Carol I. And finally, Romania proclaimed its sovereign independence in 1877. When World War I broke out, Romania declared neutrality. Two years later, in August 1916 the country joined the Allies, which promised support for the accomplishment of national unity. When the war ended in 1918, all the territories inhabited by Romanians were united within Romania. Romania declared neutrality two decades later during the Second World War, but supported Poland. The defeats suffered by France and Great Britain in 1940 created a dramatic situation for Romania. The Soviet government applied Plank 3 of the secret protocol of August 23, 1939 and forced Romania by the ultimatum notes of June 26 and 28, 1940 to cede not only Bessarabia, but also Northern Bukovina and the Hertza land (the latter two had never belonged to Russia). Under the Vienna Award - actually a dictate - (August 30, 1940) Germany and Italy gave to Hungary the northeastern part of Transylvania, where the majority population was Romanian. Following the Romanian-Bulgarian talks in Craiova, a treaty was signed on September 7, 1940, under which the south of Dobrudja (the Quadrilateral) went to Bulgaria. The end of the war saw Romania at the side of the Allies; but soon after, under the Soviet domination, it shared the fate of other Central and East-European countries. The Russians brought communism to Romania and installed the dictator, Nicolae Ceaucescu, who ruled in tyranny until he was overthrown in the late 1980s. The popular revolt in December 1989 overthrew the Ceausescus dictatorship and his totalitarian communist regime. It opened the way to the restoration of democracy and the market economy, as well as to Romania's full integration into cultural Europe, to which it has always belonged. Presently, Romania has continued to strive towards hastening the process of economic and political reform, towards strengthening democracy and its institutions. The country is now a republic. The head of state - the President - is elected by direct ballot. The capital city, Bucharest, has approximately 2,000 000 inhabitants. The main religion is the Romanian Greek Orthodoxism (86.9%). The other significant denominations in Romania are: Roman Catholicism (5%), Lutheranism, Calvinism (3.5%), Greek-Catholicism (1%), Pentecostalism (1%), Baptism (0.5%), Islamism (0.24%) and Judaism (0.04%).Romania Custom. Many Romanians have made their homes in the United States. In 1990 a study was conducted that showed the geographic distribution of Romanians in America. Customs and Folklore: Romania holds a wealth of folk tales, legends, poetry, music and dance passed on through the centuries. One popular custom, which is known by several names including "The Girls Fair," "Dance of Maidens," or "Targul de Fête," takes place on the third Sunday of each July on a mountain peak known as Gaina. This colorful tradition finds its roots in an old-time ritual dating back to the the Dacians, or third century BC, and is connected to weddings. Originally the celebration consisted of a gathering of all the young men in the village around a fire to sing and drink till dawn. At daybreak the celebration moved to the mountain peak, and would include wives and the young women of the town. Dancing was obligatory for girls. While goods such as cherries, honey, strong drinks, woodcarving and pottery were traded and sold, the most important moment came when the trading of the girls took place. Each young woman's parents' would deck their table with a delicious assortment of pies, roasted chicken and strong drinks ("palinca") and begin negotiations with the parents of a local boy. If both sets of parents reached an understanding, the girl and her dowry were balanced on a beam and she would become promised to their son. This custom was very popular, partly because at that time young people were not allowed to meet on their own. This ceremony provided a chance for them to get together in the presence of elders, who would sit on the grass and watch the young people dancing and singing. Today the custom is celebrated with local youth wearing the same kinds costumes and dancing the same steps to tunes played on instruments traditional to their forefathers. It is wonderful opportunities for visitors to experience the amalgam of the people who make up Romania. Undoubtably Romania's most notorious legend is that of Dracula. Dracula's birth name was Vlad Tepes. Born in Sighisoara (situated in the center of Romania) in 1431, Vlad was named after his father. The name means, "Son of a Dragon," and Vlad's father was part of the Order of the Dragon. The Order of the Dragon, created by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, was designed as an alliance to fight the Turks. During this time, Romania was ruled by many independent rulers who were in charge of a number of small states.Vlad Tepes was a ruler for a state called Wallachia which is located just south of Transylvania. As a very strict ruler, Vlad Tepes had some Devilish habits such as drinking human blood to promote other's fear. It was not unusual for the victor of a war in those times to drink the blood of his defeating enemy. Whether Dracula took it a few steps further is not known for certain. When he controlled Wallachia not Transylvania, he set the much high level of punishment even for just petty crimes. People were hung very easily in those days with little mercy. Not only were they hung but some were executed/tortured by having a sharp-end pole stricken. Count Dracula would then have these poles stood up by the side of the road. Whenever by-passers would see the type of punishment Dracula administered to his enemies or to those who did even minor wrong. So naturally people had come to try to be honest not to be punished by Count Dracula. This act of impaling people earned him the name Vlad Tepes (Vlad The Impaler). Finally in 1476 Vlad Tepes is assassinated. In current day Romanian, the word Dracula is synonymous with the word "Devil." Travel Tips: Beer and Wine: Romania is a beer country first and foremost, and the beer is both good and, compared with the rest of Europe, unbelievably cheap. Romanian vineyards date back to Roman times, and pre-World War II quality was very high. During the reign of communism, Romania's vines were downgraded to a lesser level in order to produce plonk for the undiscerning Russian masses. In latter years, however, the quality has risen and now a good, though limited, range of high quality wines are available, all at bargain prices. If you visit the country's wine producing regions, you can sample them. Etiquette: Romanians in their own homes are fabulous hosts. You had better be hungry, because the food would be enough there. You may bring something, flowers, chocolates or a bottle of good whisky. You will probably be offered local brandy, tuica, or its more refined brother palinca. You may as well because you cannot escape its all-embracing charm. Most Romanians love to chat their country, its politics, problems and history. Don’t be surprised if they ask you very direct questions about your views on religion and homosexuality. If you are diplomatic in response, it would be good. Money: There are many places throughout the city to change money, with all major foreign currencies accepted. The exchange offices (casa de schimb) offer better rates than banks and usually show their rates on a board outside in the street. Technically, it is illegal for foreigners to exchange lei into foreign currencies. You must need ID when changing money. Tipping: You should never tip a taxi driver. Always wait until he has counted out the small change into your hand, no matter how little that amount may be, then give it back. In restaurants and bars always 10 percent tip is enough, and no more, and then only if the service is excellent.