Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde National Heroes' Day

Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde National Heroes' Day

January 20

Citizens of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde have great reverence for Amílcar Cabral (1921–1973), a nationalist leader who was assassinated before he could see his native Guinea-Bissau and nearby Cape Verde achieve independence from Portugal. The two countries, which collaborated in an independence campaign begun in the 1950s, settled on January 20 as their National Heroes' Day because it falls on the anniversary of Cabral's murder. That tragic event further stirred the fire of the liberation movement, and the country became independent in 1974.
A public holiday in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, National Heroes' Day commemorates the legacies of Cabral and other freedom fighters. In years past, the government has issued stamps and bank notes with Cabral's image on National Heroes' Day. Leftist associations in West Africa and throughout the world have observed the day by holding symposiums on the writings and political theories of Cabral.

CONTACTS:
Cape Verde Embassy
3415 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
202-965-6820; fax: 202-965-1207
Guinea-Bissau Embassy
1511 K St. N.W., Ste. 519
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-3950; fax: 202-347-3954

SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 12

Celebration day: Jan 20