Medjugorje, meaning 'the area between mountains,' is the name of a small village located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the six countries that gained independence from the former Yugoslavia.

Until 1981, Medjugorje was just an ordinary village like any other. However, starting on June 24, 1981, with the first apparition of the Virgin Mary, Medjugorje became known to the world, and it has become a renowned site of Marian apparitions, drawing attention globally alongside Lourdes and Fatima.

On June 24, 1981, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to five children on a hill in Medjugorje, now known as Apparition Hill, without speaking a word. The next day, on the 25th, the Virgin Mary appeared to six children—Mirjana, Vicka, Ivanka, Marija, Ivan, and Jakov—who are now known as the Medjugorje visionaries. She spoke to them for the first time and promised to continue appearing to them. (This is why June 25 is celebrated annually as the anniversary of the Medjugorje apparitions.)

Through the daily apparitions that followed, the Virgin Mary introduced herself as the "Queen of Peace" and explained that she came to earth to help bring peace between God and people, and among people themselves.

Since June 24, 1981, the apparitions of the Virgin Mary have continued daily.