1999: First Croatian President’s Last Public Appearance

On this day in 1999, first Croatian president Dr. Franjo Tuđman made his last public appearance. It was All Saints’ Day. Croatian president Franjo Tuđman appeared at Medvedgrad castle above Zagreb. Shortly after, he felt sick and was transferred to the Dubrava hospital in Zagreb. He was diagnosed with severe peritonitis.

The president had already been ill for several years before that, but this was kept secret from the public. After the incident that occurred on this day, Tuđman never appeared in public again. He spent the last 40 days of his life in the above-mentioned hospital. According to his wishes, quiet classical music was played in his hospital room. Tuđman died on 10 December 1999.