FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago, IL – June 27, 2024 – The Serbian National Defense (SND) is proud to announce its 100th anniversary celebration, coinciding with the 83rd Congress, to be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Serbian National Defense House in Chicago. This milestone event will gather delegates from the Serbian community to discuss significant matters and celebrate their rich heritage.
About the Serbian National Defense
The Serbian National Defense was founded by Mihajlo Pupin in 1914 in New York City amidst rising anti-Serb tensions leading up to the First World War. The organization quickly expanded, with 83 branches established across the United States, playing a pivotal role in supporting the war effort. From 1914 to 1917, SND raised approximately half a million dollars for Serbs in the Balkans and recruited 17,000 American Serb volunteers to fight on the Salonika front.
Mihajlo Pupin, a prolific electrical inventor holding 34 patents, made significant contributions to telegraphy and telephony, including the oscillating circuit and the inductance coil. A member of the Columbia University faculty and the National Academy of Sciences, Pupin’s autobiography, From Immigrant to Inventor, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1924.
By 1941, SND headquarters moved to Chicago under Mihailo Dučić’s leadership. The organization experienced a resurgence with the arrival of Mihailo’s brother, Jovan Dučić, a renowned poet and diplomat.
Event Details
Saturday, June 29, 2024: The 83rd Congress of the Serbian National Defense will be held at the Serbian National Defense House in Chicago. This annual event serves as a platform for delegates from the Serbian community to engage in meaningful discussions and celebrate their heritage.
Sunday, June 30, 2024: The celebration continues with the commemoration of the Serbian National Defense in America and their slava (patron saint), St. Lazarus of Kosovo. The day will begin with the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago.
In a symbolic gesture of pride and unity, the Serbian Youth of the Chicago area will stretch a 100-meter-long Serbian flag in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Serbian National Defense.
Special Guests and Activities
The event will feature special guest historian, Prof. Dr. Milos Kovic from the University of Belgrade. Prof. Kovic, author of Disraeli and the Eastern Question published by Oxford University Press, will enrich the gathering with his profound knowledge and perspective on Serbian history.
Prof. Kovic’s work provides a comprehensive reconstruction of Disraeli’s attitude towards the East and the Eastern Question, utilizing a wide range of private and public sources, blending biographical approaches with the history of ideas.
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Nebojsa Zivkovic
(773) 808 – 1350
About Serbian National Defense
The Serbian National Defense is a historic organization founded in 1914 by Mihajlo Pupin to support Serbian interests during the First World War. The organization has a rich legacy of promoting Serbian culture and heritage, and it continues to serve the Serbian community in the United States.
Join us in celebrating a century of dedication, resilience, and cultural pride.
