In 2001, the Serbian Parliament declared February 15 a state holiday to commemorate the day in 1804 that the first Serbian uprising against the Turks began and constitution - signed in 1835 - which led to the creation of the modern Serbian state.

The First Serbian Uprising against the Turks began in the village of Orašac on 15 February 1804. This is the religious holiday of Candlemas (Serbian - Sretenje), also known as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. The uprising was led by Karađorđe Petrović. Although Serbia was not internationally recognized until the Congress of Berlin in 1878, the foundations of Serbian statehood are symbolically connected with 1804.

On the same day in 1835, during the rule of Miloš Obrenović, the first Serbian constitution was adopted in Kragujevac (known as the Sretenjski ustav ‘Candlemas Constitution’). The Candlemas Constitution narrative particularly emphasizes its modernity and focus on human rights.

Statehood Day of Serbia is celebrated two days – 15 and 16 February.