Martyrs’ Day 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Malawi

Every 3 March is Martyrs’ Day in Malawi to honour the memory of those who died in the struggle to secure Malawi’s independence from the British Empire. The date is based on an uprising against British rule that took place on 3 March, 1959.

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2025	3 Mar	Mon	Martyrs' Day
2026	3 Mar	Tue	Martyrs' Day
2027	3 Mar	Wed	Martyrs' Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

What is now Malawi was called Nyasaland while a British colony. The area had been annexed by Britain in the mid-1800’s, but by the early 1900’s, an independence movement had already sprang up.

During the 1950’s, the push for independence intensified. Supposing it would make management of their African colonies easier, Britain combined Nyasaland (Malawi) with Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) as “The Central African Federation”. This, however, proved wildly unpopular and led to an uprising in Malawi.

On 3 March 1959, Hastings Banda, a leader in the Central African Federation, started a protest that quickly became a revolt. The British declared an emergency and began making arrests. They put many independence leaders in jail, and over 50 protesters lost their lives.

Independence was not achieved until 6 July 1964, but the events that Martyrs’ Day commemorates were pivotal to the independence movement’s ultimate success.

Every Martyrs’ Day, many in political office give patriotic speeches, and the president and others take part in ceremonial wreath laying events at various memorials to the martyrs of 3 March 1959, and of the whole independence struggle. Many people attend special church services on this day as well, and there is always special “tribute music” played on local radio stations.

Previous Years

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2024	3 Mar	Sun	Martyrs' Day
	4 Mar	Mon	Martyrs' Day Holiday
2023	3 Mar	Fri	Martyrs' Day