For 35 years, Todor Zhivkov ruled this eastern Balkan nation that borders the Black Sea
The First Bulgarian 
Kingdom rivaled the Byzantines for control of the Balkan ... On November 10th 
1989, after 35 years in power, the communist ruler of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov was
... [DOC] [TLE] History of Bulgaria - Lonely Planet Travel Information [PAR] In the last years of the 20th century Bulgaria began opening up, and is one of the 
... Remains of Thracian settlements can be found along the Black Sea coast near 
.... WWII the Balkan countries, including Bulgaria, fought six wars over border 
issues.