Memorial Day in South Korea, established in 1956, honors those who sacrificed their lives in the Korean War and other struggles for independence and security. Celebrated on , it has become a national day of mourning, gratitude, and unity, marked by ceremonies, silence and national flag observances.

Martyrs' Day in Togo is to honors all those who died fighting for Togo’s independence and democratic freedom, both during the colonial era and in the years following independence.

Martyrs’ Day was created in memory of Dr. John Garang, who died in 2005, but it has since become a broader national commemoration of all South Sudanese who gave their lives in the long struggle for independence.