– together with several other leaders of the uprising – fled to Austro-Hungarian lands, unlike Miloš Obrenović. By remaining in Serbia, Miloš had earned the favour of the people, while Belgrade Vizier Sulejman Paşa Skopljak, recognising that he was a skilled diplomat, promoted him to the status of prince. Miloš managed to achieve the status of self-governance for the principality, while ensuring he inherited the title of Prince of Serbia for himself. He abolished the feudal sipahi system and issued the Constitution, again on the holiday of Candlemas. The Constitution was compiled by Dimitrije Davidović, a diplomat, journalist and publicist who served as Miloš’s secretary. This highest legal act was extremely just and democratic, even recognising freedom of religion. However, pressure applied by the great powers of the time led to the Candlemas Constitution being suspended after just 55 days. Despite not lasting long, this constitution established deeply democratic horizons. Already by the next generation (1869), Serbs gained universal manhood suffrage, and were again among the first in Europe on this front. Candlemas was celebrated as Serbian Statehood Day until it was abolished with the 1918 creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, only for it to begin being celebrated again in Serbia as of 2002. And each year during that time we remember the greats who preceded us and who, with their deeds, led to us today living in this magnificent country. Donošenje Sretenjskog ustava je značajno kao početak puta ka stvaranju demokratskog društva i države The adoption of the Sretenje Constitution was important as it marked the beginning of the path to a democratic society and state Serbia » Srbija | 69
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