Liberation Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Libya

Every 23 October is a public holiday in Libya known as “Liberation Day”. This is distinct from “Independence Day” and instead celebrates the fall of the  dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi.

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2023	23 Oct	Mon	Liberation Day
2024	23 Oct	Wed	Liberation Day
2025	23 Oct	Thu	Liberation Day
2026	23 Oct	Fri	Liberation Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

The Gaddafi regime began in 1969, when Gaddafi led a bloodless military coup that overthrew the sitting king, Idris I. The new power junta quickly abolished the monarchy and established a socialistic form of government, which naturally aligned itself with the USSR and other Communist style governments around the world.

Although the economy improved during Gaddafi’s over 40-year rule, much of the wealth remained in the hands of Gaddafi’s close allies and his other supporters. Plus, there was ongoing political repression of all opposition groups and a disregard for the rights of the people.

Early in 2011, a rebellion against Gaddafi broke out in Libya, in connection with the “Arab Spring” sweeping much of the Mid-east and North Africa. Eventually, US and NATO forces intervened on the side of the insurgency. The rebels took Tripoli, the capital, in August, but government forces held out until 20 October. Only on 23 October were the rebel forces confident enough to declare victory had been achieved. Now, special ceremonies take place on Liberation Day every 23 October to remember Gaddafi’s downfall.

Previous Years

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2022	23 Oct	Sun	Liberation Day
2021	23 Oct	Sat	Liberation Day
2020	23 Oct	Fri	Liberation Day
2019	23 Oct	Wed	Liberation Day
2018	23 Oct	Tue	Liberation Day
2017	23 Oct	Mon	Liberation Day