Rudolph Maister Day in Slovenia Date in the current year: November 23, 2024

Rudolph Maister was a Slovenian military officer, poet and political activist. He played an important role in the history of Slovenia. Celebration of Rudolph Maister Day refers to the events of 1918, when World War I was ending.

At the end of 1918 it was obvious, that the Austro-Hungarian Empire was losing. The city of Maribor proclaimed the annexation to Austria. Rudolph Maister, who was at that time promoted to the rank of major, organized the Slovene volunteer forces consisting of 200 officers and 4,000 soldiers. In the night of November 23 he captured the city.

Recapturing of the city of Maribor played an important role for the Slovenes, who just formed the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. In 2005 the government of Slovenia declared this date to be Rudolph Maister Day. Annual wreath laying ceremonies take place at the statues of General Maister.