Start Planning
Independence Day
Eritrea

Independence Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Eritrea

Eritrea celebrates its Independence Day on 24 May every year to remember its declaration of independence from Ethiopia on that date in 1991.

YearDateDayHoliday
202324 MayWedIndependence Day
202424 MayFriIndependence Day
202524 MaySatIndependence Day
202624 MaySunIndependence Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

With UN support, Eritrea and Ethiopia were united as a federation in 1952. But in 1962, Eritrea revolted due to increasing domination by Ethiopia. The split was also related to the fact that more Muslims live in Eritrea while large numbers of Christians inhabit Ethiopia. Things became even more complicated when Ethiopia went Communist in 1974 and gained the support of the USSR and Cuba. Eritrea was soon supported by the US.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ethiopia lost financial and military support from the USSR, which led to the Eritrean independence movement winning the 30-year war in 1991. In 1993, Eritrea’s people approved an independence referendum, but the declaration of independence on which their Independence Day is based took place two years earlier on 24 May 1991.

To celebrate, a full week of parades, carnivals, barbecues, picnics, bicycle races, concerts, sports events, and other festivities ensue. They culminate on 24 May. Watching programs to do with the independence struggle on Eri-TV is also a big part of “Independence Week”.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202224 MayTueIndependence Day
202124 MayMonIndependence Day
202024 MaySunIndependence Day
201924 MayFriIndependence Day
201824 MayThuIndependence Day
201724 MayWedIndependence Day