Revolution Day in Yemen commemorates the 1962 revolution in North Yemen that led to the overthrow of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom and the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic.

When is Revolution Day?

Revolution Day is observed annually on September 26.

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

The History of Revolution Day?

North Yemen (then known as the Mutawakkilite Kingdom) was ruled by a line of Zaydi Shia Imams from the early 20th century.

The Imamate combined religious authority with monarchical rule, with Imam Muhammad al-Badr ascending to power in 1962 after the death of his father, Imam Ahmad bin Yahya.

On September 26, 1962, just a week after al-Badr became Imam, a group of military officers led by Abdullah al-Sallal, with the backing of Egypt under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, launched a coup in Sana'a.

They bombarded the royal palace, declared the end of the Imamate, and proclaimed the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR). Abdullah al-Sallal became the republic's first president.

The revolution sparked an 8-year civil war between Republicans, backed by Egypt and Royalists, supported by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and some Western powers.

The war devastated the country but ended with victory for the Republicans, and international recognition of the Yemen Arab Republic.

The 1962 Revolution ended monarchical rule and introduced republican governance based on modern ideals of equality, education and secular state-building.