The first speech in parliament in Croatian given on this day 182 years ago

On this day, 2 May, back in 1843, an important moment in Croatian history took place. For the first time ever, the Croatian language was officially spoken in the Croatian Parliament.

The man behind this historic event was Ivan Kukuljević Sakcinski (1816–1889), a politician, historian and writer who played a key role in the Croatian National Revival, also known as the Illyrian movement.

Kukuljević Sakcinski stood up in the halls of Parliament and delivered a passionate speech – not in Latin, as was the custom at the time, but in Croatian.

This was more than just a change of language – it was a powerful statement about national identity, unity and pride.

The Illyrian movement, which Kukuljević was part of, aimed to promote the Croatian language, culture and heritage during a time when foreign influence was strong.

Ivan Kukuljević Sakcinski statue in Zagreb (Photo: Silverije/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Using Croatian in Parliament was a bold and symbolic act, helping to raise the status of the language and bring it into official and public life.

“Language is the mirror of a nation’s spirit,” Kukuljević famously said. His speech marked the start of a shift that would lead to Croatian becoming more widely used in education, media, and government.

Kukuljević’s contribution didn’t end there. He went on to serve as a Member of Parliament, archivist, and head of the National Museum, and was instrumental in preserving Croatian historical documents.