Martyrs' Day (Mali)

Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in Mali, observed on March 26 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the March Revolution, the tragic events when hundreds of peaceful protesters died in the peaceful demonstrations.

In the late 19th century, Mali fell under the control of France as part of French Sudan. In 1959, Mali and Senegal united to become the Mali Federation and gained independence on June 20, 1960. However, Senegal withdrew from the federal in August 1960, and Mali declared independence on September 22, 1960.

Modibo Keita became the first President of Mali, and he was overthrown in a bloodless military coup in 1968 led by Moussa Traore. The Traore regime attempted to reform the economy, but the reforms were unsuccessful. He established a single-party state under a new constitution in 1974.

In the following years, the growing demands for multi-party democracy resulted in anti-government demonstrations. The Traore regime suppressed all of them until 1991. University students and trade unionists organized a nationwide strike on March 22, 1991. The military soldiers opened fire on the peaceful demonstrators with orders from Moussa Traore. At least 300 people died. On March 26, thousands of soldiers refused to open fire and joined the demonstrations. On the same day, Moussa Traore was arrested.

The following is the list of Martyrs' Day in Mali from 2022 to 2026.

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