April 8: the Romano Dives

April 8: This date marks the "Romano Dives" or International Romani Day, established to commemorate the first World Romani Congress (London, 1971) where theterm 'Roma,' (meaning 'man') was adopted as the official denomination of the Romani nation. At the same time the song "Djelem Djelem," composed by Zarko Jovanovic in 1969, was chosen as the Romani national anthem, and a flag with a red spoked wheel on a green and blue background (symbolising the grass-covered earth and the open skies) was designated as the national emblem of the Roma people.

That Congress also established the first world organisation of the Roma people, the Romani Union, a body later recognised by the United Nations (in 1979).