Martyrs' Day (Guinea-Bissau)

Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in Guinea-Bissau, and it is observed on August 3 each year.

The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Pidjiguiti massacre, which took place on August 3, 1959.

Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. Guinea-Bissau became the Portuguese colony with the name of Portuguese Guinea by the 19th century. In the 1950s, the Portuguese controlled the commerce on the Pijiguiti docks through the subsidiary called Casa Gouveia. Dock workers experienced low wages and poor working conditions, which became the main factors for social unrest in the region.

The first dock workers' strike seeking better working condition took place in March 1956, but the strike was not successful and the wages remained low. On August 3, 1959, the dock-workers met the manager of the Casa Gouveia to negotiate the wage increase, but their demands were rejected. As planned, the workers ceased their work. The Portuguese state police arrived and asked them to resume the work. When the strikers refused, the police opened fire on the workers. At least 25 people died at the scene, and many were wounded.

The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) members arrived on the scene and supported the strike. As a result, the police arrested several of its members. The massacre caused PAIGC to abandon the nonviolent resistance, and changed to the armed conflicts in the 1960s.

The following is the list of Martyrs' Day in Guinea-Bissau from 2021 to 2025.

Please check more public holidays in Guinea-Bissau: