Since the 14th century, Moldavia and Wallachia had been principalities in Eastern Europe. In 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected as ruler in both principalities, creating the Union of the Romanian Principalities.
The official name of the country after the union was The Romanian United Principalities. In 1866, it was renamed Romania and then the Kingdom of Romania in 1881.
This unification is seen as a key event in the formation of the Romanian national state. On December 1st 1918, Transylvania, Banat, Crisana and Maramures joined Romania. This second union event is commemorated by Grand Union Day, the National holiday of Romania.
This day only became a public holiday in 2015.
In the 80s, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu banned the game Scrabble. He described it as “overly intellectual” and a “subversive evil”.
The Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities is also celebrated in Moldova.