Patriots' Victory Day in Ethiopia Date in the current year: May 5, 2024

In the early 20th century, Ethiopia was one of the two African countries to retain their sovereignty and not become a colony (the other one being Liberia). However, it independence was interrupted by the Second Italo-Ethiopian war that started in October 1935. The war resulted in the military occupation of the country.

Italian troops entered Addis Ababa on May 5, 1936, and hoisted the Italian tricolor in front of the Italian legation. Thus the occupation of Ethiopia began. At the early stages of WWII, British forces helped patriot Ethiopian fighters liberate the country.

Emperor Haile Selassie made his entrance into Addis Ababa on May 5, 1941. He had deliberately chosen the date because the capital had fallen exactly five years earlier. Patriots' Victory Day was declared to commemorate the end of the occupation.

On the occasion of Patriots' Victory Day, solemn wreath-laying ceremonies are held at war memorials and monuments throughout the country. The main ceremony takes place in the capital of Addis Ababa, it is attended by government officials, military leaders and diplomats as well as representatives of patriot associations and city residents.