Day of the establishment of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH

The holiday marks the signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also known as the Dayton Peace Agreement, on November 21, 1995. The agreement was reached at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, USA, after three weeks of negotiations brokered by the United States. It ended the Bosnian War (1992–1995), which had resulted in over 100,000 deaths and massive displacement. The agreement was formally signed in Paris on December 14, 1995.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the holiday was established by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (one of its two entities) as a day to commemorate peace. However, the other entity, Republika Srpska, does not recognize it as a public holiday, reflecting ongoing ethnic divisions. The date November 21 is often referred to as "Day of Dayton" or "Peace Agreement Day."

The holiday is not widely celebrated with large events; rather, it serves as a day of remembrance and reflection on the war and the peace that followed. Some communities hold official ceremonies, wreath-laying, and speeches by politicians emphasizing reconciliation and the importance of peace.

Traditions on this day vary across the country. In the Federation, it is a non-working day, so many people have time off. Some attend official commemorations organized by local governments or political parties, which include speeches, laying of wreaths at memorials for war victims, and moments of silence. Media often broadcast documentaries and news programs about the war and the Dayton Agreement.

Food is not specifically associated with this holiday; instead, families may gather for a meal, but it is not a festive occasion. In Sarajevo, some citizens visit the Eternal Flame memorial or the Tunnel of Hope museum to reflect. The day is more somber than celebratory, with an emphasis on remembering the past and hoping for a peaceful future. Schools may hold lessons about the peace process.

This day is significant because it marks the end of one of Europe's deadliest conflicts since World War II. The Dayton Agreement not only stopped the fighting but also established the political framework for modern Bosnia and Herzegovina, dividing the country into two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska. For many, it is a reminder of the cost of war and the value of peace.

However, the holiday also highlights ongoing ethnic divisions, as it is not observed in the Republika Srpska, where many see the agreement as a compromise that ended the war but imposed a government structure they find unsatisfactory. Thus, the day reflects both the achievement of peace and the challenges of reconciliation.