On June 15, 1389 (June 28 in the Gregorian calendar), the Battle of Kosovo was fought between the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Murad I, and a coalition of Serbian and Balkan forces under Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović. The battle ended in a tactical victory for the Ottomans, though both Sultan Murad and Prince Lazar were killed in the fighting. The battle was a turning point in Balkan history, opening the way for the Ottoman conquest of southeastern Europe and marking the end of Serbian medieval power.

The Battle of Kosovo is perhaps the most significant event in Serbian national mythology, giving rise to a rich tradition of epic poetry, ballads, and folklore that has shaped Serbian identity for centuries. The 'Kosovo Cycle' of Serbian epic poetry, which includes the famous ballad 'The Downfall of the Serbian Empire,' portrays the battle as a defining moment of heroic sacrifice and national tragedy. The poetry of the Kosovo Cycle, passed down through generations of oral tradition, has profoundly influenced Serbian literature and remains a cornerstone of the nation's cultural heritage, inspiring poets from the medieval period to the present day.