Croatia only recently joined the community of sovereign European nations, however it is a nation possessing an ancient and rich culture originating from Classical Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. Today's Republic of Croatia has managed to preserve some of its past with official orders and decorations, awarded for achievements as diverse as bravery, heroism, religious and cultural merit and merit in the struggle for national and social rights.
Following is a summary of Croatian Orders and their recipients:
(i) Grand Order of King Tomislav
Awarded to Heads of State with a sash and star. Recipients include: Carlos Menem, President of the Republic of Argentina; Francesco Cossiga, President of the Republic of Italy; Suleyman Demirel, President of the Republic of Turkey; Eduardo Frei, President of the Republic of Chile; Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee.
(ii) Grand Order of Queen Jelena
Awarded with sash and star. Recipients include: Mother Theresa (Agnes Bojaxhiu); Alija Izetbegovic, President of Bosnia & Herzegovina; Kresimir Zubak, President of the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
(iii) Grand Order of King Petar Kresimir IV
Awarded with sash and star. Recipients include: Dr Franjo Tudman, President of the Republic of Croatia; Gojko Susak, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia; Janko Bobetko, Croatian Army General; Zvonimir Cervenko, Croatian Army General; Franjo Greguric; Nikica Valentic; Hrvoje Sarinic; Zarko Domljan; Dr Nedjeljko Mihanovic.
(iv) Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir
Awarded for religious and cultural merit (with sash and star).
(v) Order of Prince Trpimir
Awarded for international merit (with ribbon and star)
(vi) Order of Prince Branimir
Awarded for government merit (with ribbon).
(vii) Order of Prince Domagoj
Awarded for bravery and heroism (with ribbon).
(viii) Order of Nikola Subic Zrinski
Awarded for war and peace merit.
(ix) Order of Ban Jelacic
Awarded for military merit.
(x) Order of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan
Awarded in memory of those who died in the Homeland War (1991-1995) as well as those who went missing.
(xi) Order of Ante Starcevic
Awarded for merit in the maintenance and development of Croatian statehood.
(xii) Order of Stjepan Radic
Awarded for merit in advancing national and social rights and the progress of Croatians.
(xiii) Order of the Croatian Star
Seven honours, including that of Ruder Boskovic for scientific achievements; Marko Marulic for cultural achievements; Blaz Lorkovic for economic achievements; Nikola Tesla for inventions; Katarina Zrinska for health care and social welfare; Anton Radic for achievement in education; Franjo Bucar for sport.
(xiv) Order of the Croatian Cross
Awarded to those wounded in the Homeland War (1991 - 1995).
(xv) Order of the Croatian Trefoil
Awarded for merit in war.
Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir
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