Zanzibar Revolution Day is a national public holiday in Tanzania. It marks the anniversary of the 1964 revolution in Zanzibar, which overthrew the ruling Arab sultanate and led to the creation of the People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba, eventually uniting with mainland Tanganyika to form modern-day Tanzania.

When is Zanzibar Revolution Day?

Zanzibar Revolution Day is observed each year on January 12.

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

The History of Zanzibar Revolution Day?

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of East Africa, rich in trade and Swahili-Arab heritage. It was a British protectorate from the late 19th century until it gained independence on December 10, 1963.

Upon independence, Zanzibar became a constitutional monarchy under Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah. The island's political and economic power was dominated by an Arab minority, while the African majority remained largely disenfranchised. Decades of inequality, land ownership disputes, and political suppression fueled resentment among the African population, especially members of the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP).

In the early morning hours of January 12, 1964, John Okello, a Ugandan-born revolutionary aligned with the ASP, led a surprise coup against the Sultan's government.

Revolutionary forces seized police stations and the radio station in Zanzibar Town. The Sultan fled into exile, and the Arab government was overthrown. Thousands of Arabs and South Asians were reportedly killed, detained, or expelled during the revolution.

The People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba was declared, with Abeid Amani Karume, leader of the ASP, named President.

The new revolutionary government rapidly established diplomatic ties with socialist countries, including the Soviet Union, China, and East Germany. To avoid becoming a Cold War flashpoint, Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika on April 26, 1964, forming the United Republic of Tanzania.