Angolan Youth Day Date in the current year: April 14, 2024

Hoji-ya-Henda was the nom de guerre of José Mendes de Carvalho, a leader of the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA). On April 14, 1968, FAPLA carried out a raid on the headquarters of the Portuguese Army in the Angolan village of Karipande. Hoji-ya-Henda was killed in combat, at 27 years old.

Several months later, he was assigned the title of “dear son of the Angolan people and heroic fighter of the People's Liberation Movement of Angola (MPLA)”. In March 1969, it was decided that the anniversary of his death would be celebrated as Angolan Youth Day.

On the occasion of the holiday, numerous events are organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and various Angolan youth associations. Although Youth Day is not a public holiday, it is widely observed throughout the country. It honors the memory of Hoji-ya-Henda and celebrates the contributions of the Angolan youth to the country's development.