When Is Eritrean Independence Day: In Eritrea, Independence Day is a very important national event that is celebrated by many people. Eritrea, one of the newest independent states in the world, celebrates its freedom from Ethiopia every year on May 24. The important event happened in 1991, when troops from the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front took over the country’s capital, Asmara.
The country of Eritrea is in the Horn of Africa. It borders Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti. In ancient times and the Middle Ages, its history is linked to that of African countries like the Kingdom of D’mt, the Kingdom of Aksum, and Medri Bahri.
Europe did not colonize Eritrea until the late 1800s, which is later than many other African countries. The current borders of the area were set during the Scramble for Africa when European countries fought and took unclaimed African land. Because of this, Italy took over Eritrea and made it a colony.
A young preacher named Giuseppe Sapeto was the first Italian to come to the area. He pushed for the building of a port on the Red Sea after Italy became one country in the 1860s. In 1888, eight years after the first Italian settlers arrived, Eritrea was officially named an Italian colony.
After Italy gave up in World War II, British forces took over Eritrea, starting a time when Britain had military power over the country. After the war, the Ethiopian Empire took over Eritrea’s property. An act of the UN General Assembly in 1952 made it possible for Eritrea and Ethiopia to become one country.
History of Eritrean Independence Day
The Eritrean People’s Liberation Front won back their freedom on May 24, 1991, when their soldiers reached Asmara, the country’s capital, after 30 years of fighting against Ethiopian military rule. Along with Martyrs’ Day and Revolution Day, this historic event is remembered on one of the country’s most important holidays.
This important event in history marked the end of a long and hard fight for freedom that started in the 1800s. The Italian General Oreste Batratieri took over the hills along the coast of Eritrea and called them “Italian Eritrea,” which means “Italian Eritrea.” The colonial government invested a lot in the area’s infrastructure and farming and also opened new companies that made things like pasta, cooking oil, meat packaging, and tobacco. Asmara, Eritrea’s main city, still has signs of its Italian past.
After the Battle of Keren in 1941, the British took over the country from the Italians. The country was run by the British until about 1950. After that, there were plans to split the country in half, with Ethiopia getting the other half. Even though Eritrea wanted to be its own country, the US helped choose to join Ethiopia as a federation in December 1950.
The Eritrean People’s Liberation Front beat Ethiopian forces in the end, after years of fighting and many failed attempts at freedom by Eritrean parties. This led to the creation of a one-party state. The two countries got into another fight from 1998 to 2000. This time, they were fighting over a big boundary dispute between Badme and Zalambessa. In 2018, the problem was fixed.
How Independence Day is Celebrated in Eritrea?
Eritrea is very excited and dedicated to marking Independence Day, which marks the end of a 30-year fight for independence from Ethiopia. The celebrations start with a beautiful procession that shows off the country’s rich cultural history and achievements since it became independent. People wear brightly colored traditional clothes with lots of patterns and do sports and other things like singing and dancing. Fireworks, concerts, and talks by famous people are some of the things that will happen.
All over the country, people got together to enjoy Eritrea’s independence and show their appreciation for the brave soldiers who fought for its freedom. As the country enjoys its hard-won freedom, you can feel the patriotism and friendship that run through the country. This shows how strong its spirit is.
Eritrean Independence Day Activities
Take a trip to Eritrea and see for yourself how the country celebrates Independence Day for a whole week!
You can try these delicious recipes to learn more about Eritrea’s food. For example, you could look for Hamli, Fata, Kulwa, or Zigni recipes that you can make in your own home.
Join the celebrations by going to the Independence Day events that the Eritrean group in your city has planned. If you are from Eritrea, use this as a chance to throw a fun party and ask friends and other people you know to join in the fun!
Things to do on Independence Day in Eritrea
Start your trip to Eritrea by planning a trip and taking part in the Independence Day events that last all week.
To enjoy Eritrean food, look for great ideas online. Start your trip through the world of food with traditional treats like Hamli, Kulwa, Zigni, and Fata.
Take part in the Independence Day events that the Eritrean community in your city is putting on to learn about how people live there. Being Eritrean means you should plan a big party and ask everyone you know to join in the fun!
The background of Independence Day in Eritrea
The Eritrean People’s Liberation Front entered Asmara on May 24, 1991, after a long fight against the Ethiopian military government. This ended a thirty-year war that had made the country dependent on Ethiopia. This day, along with Martyrs’ Day and Revolution Day, is very important and is celebrated as one of the most important state holidays.
This important day marked the end of a long and violent fight for freedom that began in the 1800s. General Oreste Batratieri of Italy took control of the coastal mountains of Eritrea and changed its name to “Italian Eritrea.” In addition to making big investments in the area’s crops and infrastructure, the colonial government built new factories that made things like pasta, cooking oil, meat packaging, and tobacco. Asmara, Eritrea’s capital city, still has a lot of signs of the Italian impact that has stayed there.
The British beat the Italians badly at the Battle of Keren in 1941, and they then took over the country. Before about 1950, when a plan was made to divide the country into two parts, one to be ruled by Ethiopia and the other by Britain, Britain was in charge. In December 1950, the US used pressure to get Eritrea to join Ethiopia, even though Eritrea wanted to be independent.
The Eritrean People’s Freedom Front beat Ethiopian troops, ending years of conflict and many attempts at freedom by Eritrean groups. This led to the creation of a one-party state. Between 1998 and 2000, there was another war between the two countries. This time, Badme and Zalambessa had a big fence dispute. In 2018, the problem was fixed.
When did Eritrea gain independence from Ethiopia?
May 24, 1993
The State of Eritrea formally achieved its independence from Ethiopia on May 24, 1993. UNOVER was disbanded on May 31, 1993. Some 350,000 Eritreans were refugees in Sudan in 1993.
The Eritrean War of Independence happened between the Ethiopian government and Eritrean rebels from September 1, 1961, to May 29, 1991. It happened during and after the Ethiopian Civil War. There were two sides. Ethiopia unilaterally took away Eritrea’s power within its borders, where troops were already stationed, which led to the fight. Following the end of the Second World War, Eritrea was freed from Italian rule and joined Ethiopia.
Ethiopia says that Eritrea’s participation is very important, especially for getting to the Red Sea. Up until the late 1980s, the Soviet Union still supported the Marxist-Leninist coup in Ethiopia in 1974. The Soviet Union pulled its support because of changes in Moscow’s foreign policy brought about by perestroika and glasnost.
How many years was Eritrean Independence Day?
On May 24, 1991, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front forces moved into the capital city of Asmara and reinstated independence after a war against the Ethiopian military regime. This war went on for 30 years. It is one of the most important public holidays in the country, along with Martyrs’ Day and Revolution Day.
Soldiers from the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front finally took over the country’s capital, Asmara, after thirty years of fighting the Ethiopian military government. They set the city free. This date, along with Martyrs’ Day and Revolution Day, is one of the most important state holidays in the country.
This event was the most recent in a long line of movements for independence that started in the 1800s. The hills along the coast of Eritrea were taken over by the Italian General Oreste Batratieri, who made Eritrea an Italian colony and called it “Italian Eritrea.” The colonial government put a lot of money into the area’s industries, farms, and infrastructure. Asmara still feels the effects of its Italian past.
When did Eritrea vote for independence?
An independence referendum was held in Eritrea, at the time part of Ethiopia, between 23 and 25 April 1993. The result was 99.83% in favour, with a 98.5% turnout.
Between September 1, 1961, and May 24, 1991, Eritrean freedom fighters fought against different Ethiopian governments to free their country.
Eritrea was a British territory until 1951. Before that, it was an Italian colony from the 1880s until the Allies beat the Italians in 1941. Resolution 390 A of the UN General Assembly said that most of the people who spoke about Eritrea’s future voted for it to become a union with Ethiopia. Because of this, Eritrea was given independence within the framework of the Ethiopian crown. It was also accepted as a member state of the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1952, with a term of ten years. Anzio Mattienzo was chosen by the Assembly to be the Commissioner in charge of the procedures in case Eritreans ask for more independence after the ten-year union is over.
What nationality is Eritrean?
Eritreans are the native inhabitants of Eritrea, as well as the global diaspora of Eritrea. Eritreans constitute several component ethnic groups, some of which are related to ethnic groups that make up the Ethiopian people in neighboring Ethiopia and people groups in other parts of the Horn of Africa.
Eritrea is on the coast of the Red Sea, in the Horn of Africa. Its past and culture are deeply connected to the sea. Mare Erythraeum, the country’s name in Italian, means “Red Sea” in Latin. This name comes from the country’s main coastline site. Countries like Egypt, Italy, and Turkey wanted to control the ports on the coast of Eritrea because of the spread of Christianity and Islam across the Red Sea. These ports made it easier to get goods from the Ethiopian mountains, like gold, coffee, and enslaved people.
There was a fight for almost 30 years, but in 1993, Eritrea got its freedom. The war gave the people a sense of national unity. Still, once they were free, they had to deal with the problem of overcoming race and religious differences in order to ease the effects of poverty that had been made worse by years of war, neglect, and drought. “Asmara” is the name of Eritrea’s capital and biggest city.
What is the capital of Eritrea?
Located on a highland plateau at the centre of Eritrea, Asmara, a Modernist city of Africa is the capital of the country and is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a colonial planned city, which resulted from the subsequent phases of planning between 1893 and 1941, under the Italian colonial occupation.
Asmara, which is in the middle of Eritrea on a highland plateau, is the best known and best-preserved example of a British planned city. From 1893 to 1941, when Italy ruled the colonies, the building’s modernist design went through planning stages that changed it. The city plan was first made on an orthogonal grid, but later, it included parts of a radial scheme.
Asmara has a unique human scale thanks to its mix of eclectic and modernist architectural styles, well-defined open spaces, and wide range of buildings such as offices, banks, homes, movie theaters, businesses, and religious buildings. This cityscape shows very clearly how colonial design, which was based on race and functional segregation, was changed to fit the land’s shape to meet practical needs and convey symbolic meaning.
Because it was once a colony and has a history of Eritrean independence, Asmara is an important cultural and historical place. In the city’s urban character, which is marked by a human scale in building interactions, streets, open areas, and activities, you can see how Africans lived during and after colonization. The city’s public areas, mixed-use architecture, and place-based material culture show cultural absorption and exchange as a result of repeated interactions. This supports early preservation efforts and the city’s role in creating a shared identity.
Eritrea celebrates its Independence Day with great enthusiasm and joy. This is an important historical event that marks the country’s freedom from authoritarian rule. Today is a powerful reminder of how hard the people of Eritrea have been fighting for their freedom and independence. This building is a moving tribute to the people who died in the fierce fight for the country’s freedom.
As soon as Eritrea got its freedom, it began an amazing journey toward prosperity and progress. This shows how committed the country is to growth and unity. Eritreans get together on this one-of-a-kind day to enjoy their beautiful country, lively culture, and rich heritage. Their shared happiness reminds them of how much they want the future to be good.
