About Rudolf Maister Day
Slovenia observes Rudolf Maister Day on November 23rd, remembering the general who established the first Slovenian army in modern history and secured what later became Slovenia's northern border.
The holiday commemorates the day in 1918 when Maister (1874-1934) took control of Maribor.
Following the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Major Maister prevented Maribor and the Podravje area from being made part of German Austria, the country created after WWI comprising areas of the former empire with a predominantly German-speaking population. On October 30th 1918, the German city council declared Maribor and its surroundings part of German Austria.
Maiste retaliated by setting up a Slovenian army of 4,000 soldiers, disarming the German Schutzwehr security service, and disbanding the militia of the German city council.
The general then occupied Slovenian ethnic territory, establishing the northern border between Austria and Yugoslavia that was later ratified by the Saint Germain Peace Treaty. The same border still runs between Slovenia and Austria today.
Maister is buried at Maribor's Pobrežje Cemetery.
November 23rd has been observed as a national holiday since 2005.
