Martyrs' Day (Madagascar)

Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in Madagascar, observed on March 29 yearly. The holiday commemorates those who died in the Malagasy Uprising from March 29, 1947, to February 1949.

In 1883, the French invaded Madagascar and made the island a French protectorate in 1890. By 1896, France annexed the whole island and declared it a colony the following year. Under French rule, plantations were established, and the economy in Madagascar prospered. However, the nationalist movement's struggle for independence has also been making progress.

On the evening of March 29, 1947, Malagasy nationalists launched attacks against military bases and plantations on the island's east coast. The uprising quickly spread to the south and central regions in the following months.

In May 1947, the French began to counter the nationalists and mobilized more troops to Madagascar in the following months. As a result, the rebels were steadily pushed back. In February 1949, the uprising was defeated following the capture of the last senior rebel leader. The estimated number of Malagasy casualties during the uprising varies from 11,000 to over 100,000, depending on the reference sources.

The following is the list of Martyrs' Day in Madagascar from 2022 to 2026.

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