NIKOLA I PETROVIĆ NJEGOŠ - KING AND LIBERATOR

BIJELJINA, OCTOBER 18 /SRNA/ - Montenegrin King, military commander, and writer Nikola I Petrović Njegoš /1841–1921/, who ruled Montenegro for nearly six decades, during which its territory doubled and it gained international recognition, was born on October 19, 1841.

The Assembly of Chieftains proclaimed Nikola Petrović prince in 1860. He was king from 1910 to 1918, and his reign was marked by liberation struggles and efforts to preserve the country's independence, working closely with Serbia.

Following the Austro-Hungarian invasion during the First World War, he went to France in January 1916, where he died in 1921.

On November 26, 1918, the Great National Assembly in Podgorica deposed King Nikola and proclaimed the unification of Montenegro with Serbia.

He wrote plays and poems, including the verse drama The Empress of the Balkans /Balkanska carica/ and the patriotic song Onamo, ’namo.

The remains of King Nikola and Queen Milena were repatriated in October 1989 and buried in Cetinje.