The names "Macedonia" and "Macedonians" have been in existence and survived throughouth the history, also been, at the same time negated. The struggle concerning the legitimacy over the territory of Macedonia is in close connection with this names.

The Macedonian people has been formed within the frames of geographic and historical ground of Macedonia in a continuity of developing process (tribe, people, nation). It has acquired the legitimacy over the territory of Macedonia and became the inheritor of all historical and cultural autochtonous traditions and values, carrying out the name of Macedonia through centuries as his ethnic and historically legitimate name.

The existence of the Macedonian nation was permanently disturbing the neighbouring countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Albania). The comon attitude in their policy was the unrecognition of the existence of the Macedonian nation, language and state. These states, aspecially after the partition of Macedonia in 1913 and 1919, were endeavouring to denationalize the Macedonian people. This denationalization was opposed by the Macedonian people from all parts of Macedonia under the foreign authorities, leading the struggle for national liberty and its own state. Led by the national organizations and the Communist Party, the Macedonian people was struggling for the Macedonian national and official name.

After the establishment of the Macedonian federal state (1944), for the first time in the contemporary history of Macedonia, the name Macedonia – Macedonians have been officialized.

After the World War II, the process of international affirmation of the Macedonian state, nation, language and culture has begun.

In 1944, Serbia recognized the Macedonian nation and state, which was affirmated by the treaty of 1996, recognizing R. Macedonia under the constitutional name.

Excluding the period 1944 – 1948, the Macedonian name and language has been permanently negated by the Bulgarian government, although in 1991 it recognized the independence of the Republic of Macedonia. Since 1991, Greece has put in dispute the name of the Republic of Macedonia, tending to negate the historical identity and the legitimacy of the Macedonian nation and language, although she recognized Macedonia as a state within the frames of SFR Yugoslavia. According to the Temporary Agreement from 1995, Greece has recognized the independence of R Macedonia and her territorial integrity.

The complete affirmation of the Macedonian state, nation, language and culture has been achieved during the process of gaining independence and international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia. The recognition of the Republlic of Macedonia under her constitutional name, by numerous countries, has denoted the triumph of the historical truth and justice, signifying, at the same time, the affirmation of the historical legitimacy and the continuity of the Macedonian nation and state.