Sinai Liberation Day is commemorated annually on April 25 in Egypt. It commemorates the liberation of the Sinai Peninsula. In 1982, Egypt reclaimed Sinai, which was a significant event for the country. The holiday is a special occasion in which the public is encouraged to commemorate the beauty of Sinai. During the holiday season, Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh receive a large number of tourists. Numerous individuals from around the globe who occasionally travel to Egypt for celebrations find it appealing. The tourist communities are situated along the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt.
The background of Sinai Liberation Day
In 1982, all Israeli military forces withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula, a historical event that Egyptians commemorate on this day. Since the First Dynasty of ancient Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula has been part of Egypt, and in 1956, Egypt prohibited Israeli ships from using the Suez Canal. This compelled them to travel a significantly longer and slower route to Europe.
With heightened tensions in the region, British and French forces assisted Israeli forces in occupying the Sinai Peninsula. In 1957, however, under duress from the United States and the Soviet Union, Israel withdrew its forces. Additionally, the UN maintained its presence in the region to prevent future conflicts. This resulted in the Egyptians compelling the United Nations presence to withdraw in May 1967, culminating in a six-day war. After this conflict, Israel returned to occupy the entire Sinai Peninsula as well as additional territories in the region.
The October 1973 Yom Kippur War culminated in a protracted period of conflict between Egypt and Israel. After the conflict, both Egypt and Israel experienced a turning point, which led to the processes that fostered peace between the two countries. The Camp David Accords prompted Egypt and Israel to conclude a peace treaty in 1978. It was at this time that Israel agreed to disengage from the entire Sinai Peninsula. The final troops departed Sinai on April 25, 1982, following a series of withdrawal phases. This is why the holiday is observed annually in Egypt.
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5 INTRIGUING FACTS ABOUT EGYPT
More than 99 percent of the country’s inhabitants are native Egyptians.
About 90 percent of the population is Muslim, predominantly Sunni.
Seven UNESCO World Heritage locations are located in Egypt.
Cleopatra, one of the most prominent Egyptian figures, was a Greek lady.
The modern 365-day calendar was devised in Egypt.
SINAI LIBERATION DAY (EGYPT) DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | April 25 | Tuesday |
2024 | April 25 | Thursday |
2025 | April 25 | Friday |
2026 | April 25 | Saturday |
2027 | April 25 | Sunday |