Commemoration Day | |
---|---|
Also called | Martyrs' Day |
Observed by | United Arab Emirates |
Type | National holiday |
Significance | Remembrance of fallen soldiers |
Observances | A minute's silence on 30 November, and a public holiday on 1 December |
Begins | 30 November |
Ends | 1 December |
Date | 30 November |
Next time | 30 November 2024 |
Frequency | Annual |
First time | 2015 |
Started by | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
Commemoration Day, previously known as Martyrs' Day (Arabic: يوم الشهيد yawm ash-shahiid), is a national holiday in the United Arab Emirates recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of Emirati martyrs who have given their life in the field of civil, military and humanitarian service. The day is marked annually on 30th of November, but observed with a public holiday on the 1st of December.[1] It was in 2015, when the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declared the day as Martyrs Day in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.[2] The observance and public holiday were both previously held on 30th of November (pre-2019).[3]