Martyrs' Day in Tunisia honors the Tunisians who were killed by French colonial forces in 1938 during anti-colonial protests in Tunis. These martyrs are remembered as national heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle for freedom and independence.

When is Martyrs' Day?

Martyrs' Day is observed annually on April 9.

The following is the list of Martyrs' Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Martyrs' Day?

Tunisia became a French protectorate in 1881 under the Treaty of Bardo. Although technically a protectorate, not a colony, the French controlled Tunisia's political and economic systems, and Tunisian nationalists gradually began demanding self-rule. By the 1930s, calls for independence had grown louder.

On April 8 and 9, 1938, thousands of Tunisians, led by Neo Destour activists, organized mass protests in Tunis. Protesters included students, workers, and middle-class citizens who saw the moment as urgent for political reform.

On April 9, 1938, as demonstrators gathered in front of the French General Residence (government building), French colonial troops opened fire on the crowds. The official death toll was at least 22, with hundreds injured and arrested.

This moment came to be known as the 1938 Uprising, and those who died became known as "the martyrs of the nation". Over time, the memory of the martyrs became a rallying cry for continued resistance, culminating in Tunisia's independence in 1956.

On March 20, 1956, Tunisia gained full independence from France.

In 1957, the newly formed Tunisian Republic formally recognized April 9 as Martyrs' Day.