Capture of Kars
Russia captures Kars from the Ottoman Empire
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1878 in Turkey
Explore 49 historical events and records for Turkey in 1878.
Historical records for Turkey in 1878
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 49 unique records.
49Unique records
1 of 2Page
29Named events on this page
4Named people on this page
8Places on this page
March
Congress of Berlin
The congress aims to revise the Treaty of San Stefano and keep Constantinople in Ottoman hands and disavow Russias victory over the decaying Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78
Treaty of San Stefano
Turkey capitulates & signs the Treaty of San Stefano with Russia. Independence of Serbia, Bulgaria & Romania is recognized by the Treaty of San Stefano
June
Congress Delegation
Joins the Ottoman delegation as ambassador at the German imperial court.
Congress Delegation
Represents the Ottoman Empire at Berlin as a senior military plenipotentiary.
Congress of Berlin
Opening day of the Congress of Berlin to resolve the "Eastern Question"
Congress of Berlin
Faces the Congress of Berlin, which revises San Stefano, preserves Ottoman suzerainty over Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia, and later requires Ottoman cessions to Russia in Asia.
Ottoman Delegation
Serves as a senior Ottoman plenipotentiary defending the empire's interests at the Congress of Berlin.
Congress of Berlin
Territory ceded by the Ottoman empire at San Stefano is returned
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Serbia. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Romania. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Montenegro. The Congress of Berlin cedes Kars to Russia.
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin promises Crete constitutional Government. The Congress of Berlin places Macedonia under Ottoman sovereignty. The Congress of Berlin places Bosnia-Hercegovina under Austro-Hungarian control. The Congress of Berlin creates a quasi-autonomous Ottoman province of Eastern Roumelia.
Constitution of Turkey
The Congress of Berlin promises Crete constitutional Government
Independence of Serbia, Romania and Montenegro
The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Serbia. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Romania. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Montenegro
Independence of Turkey
The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Serbia. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Romania. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Montenegro
Rule of Batum
The Congress of Berlin cedes Batum to Russia
Rule of Bosnia
The Congress of Berlin places Bosnia-Hercegovina under Austro-Hungarian control
Rule of Crete
The Congress of Berlin promises Crete constitutional Government
Rule of Cyprus
The Congress of Berlin cedes Cyprus to Britain
Rule of Kars
The Congress of Berlin cedes Kars to Russia
Rule of Macedonia
The Congress of Berlin places Macedonia under Ottoman sovereignty
Rule of Roumelia
The Congress of Berlin creates a quasi-autonomous Ottoman province of Eastern Roumelia
July
Armenian Reforms
Undertakes to introduce reforms in Armenian-inhabited provinces and report their implementation to the Great Powers.
Bosnia Administration
Accepts the congress decision permitting Austria-Hungary to occupy and administer Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bulgaria Settlement
Retains formal suzerainty over the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria created by the treaty.
Bulgarian Suzerainty
Accepts a settlement preserving Ottoman suzerainty over an autonomous Bulgarian principality.
Cession of Kars Ardahan and Batum
Accepts the cession of Kars, Ardahan and Batum to Russia under the treaty's Asian settlement.
Eastern Rumelia
Retains direct political and military authority over Eastern Rumelia while accepting its administrative autonomy.
Eastern Rumelia Settlement
Accepts the creation of Eastern Rumelia as an autonomous province remaining under the Sultan's direct political and military authority.
Religious Liberty
Accepts treaty provisions requiring broad religious liberty and equal civil access regardless of religion in the Ottoman Empire.
Territorial Settlement
Participates in negotiations that restore some San Stefano territories to Ottoman control while confirming major losses elsewhere.
Treaty Signature
Signs the Berlin settlement on behalf of the Ottoman Empire.
Treaty Signature
Formally accepts the negotiated settlement as a member of the Ottoman delegation.
Treaty Signature
Signs the Treaty of Berlin as one of the Ottoman representatives.
August
Ratification Declaration
Announces at Berlin that the Sultan has ratified the treaty and considers it valid from the date of the ratification meeting.
Treaty Ratification
Ratifies the Treaty of Berlin after the Ottoman delegation accepts the revised postwar settlement.
Other events (month unknown)
Capture of Adrianople
Russia captures Adrianople
Civil Rights
The Turkish Government agrees to obey the Organic Law of 1868, and to guarantee the civil rights of non-Muslim subjects
Civil Rights
The Turkish Government agrees to obey the Organic Law of 1868, and to guarantee the civil rights of non-Muslim subjects
Congress of Berlin
The Turkish Government agrees to obey the Organic Law of 1868, and to guarantee the civil rights of non-Muslim subjects
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Serbia. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Romania. The Congress of Berlin confirms the independence of Montenegro. The Congress of Berlin cedes Kars to Russia. The Congress of Berlin cedes Cyprus to Britain.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.