On this day in 1189, the oldest found and preserved Bosnian state document - the Charter of Kulin Ban - was created. Three versions of this document exist today, with the original in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and two correspondences which are in Dubrovnik.

It is often said that Bosnia and Herzegovina was the most abundant and happiest at the time of the Kulin bans.

Ban Kulin's Charter also has an enormous symbolic importance. It is called the birth certificate of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Charter is proof of Bosnian statehood, which goes back to the 12th century, and historical research unequivocally shows that medieval Bosnia had the most developed form of statehood in the Balkans.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Ban Kulin promised the people of Dubrovnik freedom of movement on the territory of Bosnia, exempting them from paying customs duties with this document. It was August 29, 1189 when the document was written to the Dubrovnik prince Krvash by the scribe named Radoje.

Of the three preserved original copies the one in St. Petersburg, Russia is considered to be the original which belonged to the then Bosnian state. Despite the initiatives to return this copy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country still only has a copy of the document which can be seen at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kulin Ban’s reign is considered the golden age of Bosnia from which the locals even made a saying “From the age of Kulin Ban and better days…” which remained in use to this day.