Knin, home to the second largest fortress in Europe, is the focal point of Croatia today.
August 5 is celebrated in Croatia as one of the most important state holidays. On this day in 1995, Croatian military and police forces entered Knin, the capital of Serb rebels, and effectively marked the victory in the Homeland War.
The operation Storm began on August 4. In the next few days, Croatian forces liberated a large part of the previously rebel-held territory. The highlight of the operation took place on August 5, when Knin was liberated, and this day is marked as a national holiday ever since. The only part of Croatia which remained under rebel control was eastern Slavonia, which was peacefully reintegrated with the rest of Croatia in 1998.
