Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in Lebanon. The holiday falls on May 6, but it is celebrated on the first Sunday in May each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when the Ottoman Empire executed the Syrian and Lebanese nationalists on May 6, 1916. The Ottoman Empire conquered Lebanon and Syria in 1516 and ruled the area until 1918, when World War I ended.
Inspired by the Young Turk Revolution in 1908, Arab intellectuals and politicians demanded greater autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. However, the outbreak of World War I brought Greater Syria problems. The Turkish government appointed Jamal Pasha as the commander in Greater Syria, who started to suppress the Arab Nationalists.
Because of his harshness, Jamal Pasha was nicked "The Butcher". On May 6, 1916, Jamal Pasha publicly executed 21 Arabs in Damascus and Beirut for anti-Turkish activities.
The following is the list of Martyrs' Day in Lebanon from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Martyrs' Day | May 01, 2022 | Sunday |
| Martyrs' Day | May 07, 2023 | Sunday |
| Martyrs' Day | May 05, 2024 | Sunday |
| Martyrs' Day | May 04, 2025 | Sunday |
| Martyrs' Day | May 03, 2026 | Sunday |
Please check more public holidays in Lebanon: