When is Revolution Day January 25?
Revolution Day January 25 is a national holiday in Egypt that is observed on January 25th.
It marks the start of the revolution in 2011 that led to the resignation of General Mubarak.
The public holiday is a paid vacation for all civil servants in ministries and governmental institutions as well as the companies affiliated to the public, business and private sectors.
History of Revolution Day January 25
The 2011 revolution in Egypt started with marches, demonstrations and civil resistance on January 25th.
Protesters were inspired by the uprising in Tunisia, where demonstrators succeeded in bringing down the government.
“Down with corruption, down with autocracy, down with dictators.” These were the chants by an increasing number of Egyptians demanding the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, who had been in power for 30 years.
According to Amnesty International, more than 840 people were killed during the protests, which ultimately led to Mubarak stepping down on February 11th.
Egypt then experienced its first free and fair presidential election. Though many of the revolution’s gains. were lost after a military coup in 2013, the uprising remains a cherished memory and a source of inspiration for many Egyptians.
Prior to 2011, January 25th was an official holiday in Egypt known as Police Day, which celebrated the Egyptian police for protecting the Egyptian people when they resisted British forces in Ismailia in 1952.
The battle, which left 50 dead and over 80 officers injured, was the spark of the 1952 Egyptian revolution that expelled the British monarchy from the country.
Police Day in 2011 was the start of the revolution that lasted 18 days and led to General Hosni Mubarak being ousted as president, ending his 30-year rule of Egypt.
Related Holiday
Egypt has two Revolution Day public holidays. Revolution Day July 23 marks the anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952.
