Darko Banjac, president of the NPS, told Srna that January 9 is marked for the future of Republika Srpska, not only as the date of its establishment.
“January 9 is not just a parade or a ceremonial academy. Marking this date means much more than that. Every person has a birthday, a date of birth. If that does not exist, what is a person without it?” Banjac asked.
He stressed that this is precisely why political Sarajevo seeks to annul January 9, as part of policies aimed at creating a centralized Bosnia and Herzegovina.
January 9 is celebrated as Republic Day of Republika Srpska because on that date in 1992 it was established under its original name, the Republic of the Serb People in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Republika Srpska was founded by Serb members of the then Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina after they were outvoted on key issues concerning the survival of Yugoslavia, while representatives of the other two peoples moved toward secession against the will of the Serbs, who held the status of a constituent people.
The name Republic of the Serb People in Bosnia and Herzegovina was used until February 28, 1992, when the first Constitution was proclaimed, after which it was changed to Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. That name remained in use until August 12, 1992, when the name Serb Republic was introduced.
In September 1992, this was replaced by the current name—Republika Srpska.
Source: Kozarski vjesnik
