Yemen National Day: October 14
National Day is a public holiday in Yemen.
The British have occupied and controlled many different parts of the world over the centuries including India, Australia and Canada. Among that list of occupied territories was Yemen. However, on a historic October 14, 1963, the people of South Yemen revolted against the British occupation and drove them out of the country. Now the people of Yemen annually celebrate National Day to commemorate the historic event.
History of Yemen National Day
On January 19, 1839, British East India Company took control of the port of Aden to utilize it as a refueling point for its ships. Afterwards, the British Empire officially ruled Aden as part of British India. In 1937, the port of Aden and the surrounding area was converted into a British Colony as part of the British Crown. On January 8, 1963 the Colony of Aden was merged into the newly created Federation of South Arabia with promises that it would be released from British control in 1968. Finally, having had enough of the oppression, the two nationalist groups Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY) and National Front (NF) revolted on October 14, 1963 in the name of freedom, justice and equality for the Yemeni people.
While many Yemeni refer to this as National Day, it must be noted that they celebrate three National Days, and it is easy to confuse them. Many Yemeni will refer to the October National Day simply as the “14 October Revolution”.
Yemen National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The status of the traditions and customs followed on this holiday has become murky with the recent crisis in Yemen. The mix of renewed
Shi’ite revolt in northern Yemen, separatist unrest in southern Yemen, and fresh al Qaeda attacks across the country have effectively put any peaceful celebration of the holiday on the back burner.
On October 14, 2007 gunmen opened fire on opposition activists rallying for the anniversary of the revolution. This has lead to subtle hints by extremists and activists that yet another “October Revolution” may be necessary to take their country back from a government rife with corruption and mismanagement.
Other interesting posts:
- Independence Day Celebrated in Yemen
- Commemorating the Unity of North and South Yemen: Yemen Celebrates National Unity Day
- Yemen celebrates Revolution Day
- Hungary Salutes Revolution Day
- Ecuador salutes Independence of Guayaquil
Other interesting posts:
