Victory Day Date: November 3
Victory Day is a public holiday in the Maldives.
The Maldives’ Victory Day is centered on the day that a terrorist group from Sri Lanka attacked the Maldives government on November 3, 1988. They attempted to overthrow the government, but failed and fled the country, hence the celebration.
The Maldives is an island country in the Indian ocean consisting on 19 atolls made up of more than 2,000 coral islands southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives islands were colonized more the 800 years ago and became a self-governing British protectorate in 1887 and achieved independence in 1965. Maldives is one of the world’s poorest countries, but that is slowly changing because of the increasing number of tourists that make the Maldives their vacation destination. Maldives has a very small population of around 370,000.
History of the Maldives’ Victory Day
Since 1965, the Maldives have been independent and free from foreign rule. However, the coup attempt in the Maldives in November 1988 was one of the most perilous times in the country’s history. Many people were caught in the crossfire and many lives were lost. The act of treason was committed by a few treacherous Maldivians who threatened the country’s independence. Called on by the government of the Maldives, India provided swift and decisive aid to supress the coup. It is said that eight soldiers and eleven civilians died on that day.
While there is some debate on whether ‘Victory Day” was obtained on the 3rd or 4th of November, what matters is that the Maldives was victorious and the aggressors were apprehended. November 3rd is still remember by the natives from the Maldives to this day.
The Maldives’ Victory Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The Maldives are a 100% Islamic country which means alcohol is not permitted in public places. Many resorts have licenses that exempt them from the law, so those who wish to honor the fallen on Victory Day with a drink can do so privately.
Other interesting posts:
- The People of the Maldives Celebrate Republic Day
- Martyrs’ Day Commemorated in the Maldives
- Maldives Independence Day
- The Maldives Celebrates Huravee Day
- Kazakhstan Marks Victory Day
Other interesting posts:
