Something about this date tends to feel both solemn and celebratory at the same time. The streets fill with flags — those deep, slightly muted blue-yellow-red tricolors that flutter differently when the air is cold. Bucharest feels especially awake on this day. You can almost hear history breathing behind the grand architecture, feel it woven beneath the modern energy, and sense the quiet pride sitting in the hearts of people walking bundled in scarves toward Aviatorilor Boulevard for the military parade.