Martyrs\’ Day (Madagascar)

Martyrs\’ Day is a public holiday in Madagascar, and it is observed on March 29 each year. The holiday commemorates those who died in the Malagasy Uprising from March 29, 1947, to February 1949.

In 1883, the French invaded Madagascar and made the island a French protectorate in 1890. By 1896, France annexed the whole island and declared it a colony in the following year. Under the French rule, plantations were established and the economy in Madagascar prospers, however, the nationalist movement struggle for independence has been also making progress.

On the evening of March 29, 1947, Malagasy nationalists launched attacks against military bases and plantations on the east coast of the island, and the uprising quickly spreads to the south and central regions in the following months.

From May 1947, the French began to counter the nationalists and mobilized more troops to Madagascar in the following months. As a result, the rebels were steadily pushed back. In February 1949, the uprising was defeated following the capture of the last senior rebel leader. During the uprising, the estimated number of Malagasy casualties varies from 11,000 to over 100,000 depending on the reference sources.

The following is the list of Martyrs\’ Day in Madagascar from 2022 to 2026.