Sinai Liberation Day is observed every year in Egypt on April 25. It serves to mark the liberation of the peninsula of Sinai. Egypt recovered the land of Sinai in 1982 and this was an important event in the country. The holiday is a special day that encourages the public to celebrate the beauty of Sinai. Tourist cities like Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh receive a lot of visitors during the holiday. It is popular with many people around the world who sometimes travel to Egypt for celebrations. The tourist cities are located along the Egyptian Red Sea Riviera.
History of Sinai Liberation Day
Egyptians use this day to commemorate the historical moment when all Israeli military forces withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula in the year 1982. Since the First Dynasty of ancient Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula has been a part of Egypt with Egypt preventing Israeli ships from using the Suez Canal in 1956. This forced them to take a much longer and slower route to get to Europe.
With raised tensions in the region, Israeli forces occupied the Sinai Peninsula with support from Britain and France. However, pressure from the US and USSR forced Israel to withdraw its troops in 1957. The UN also kept up its presence in the region to prevent future conflicts in the area. This led to the Egyptians forcing the UN presence to leave in May 1967 resulting in a six-day war. After this war, Israel still came back to occupy the entire Sinai Peninsula and some other territories in the region as well.
The Yom Kippur War of October 1973 culminated in a long period of conflict between Egypt and Israel. Egypt and Israel both experienced a turning point after the conflict, leading to the processes that encouraged finding peace between the two nations. In 1978, The Camp David Accords led Egypt and Israel to sign a peace treaty. This was when Israel agreed to withdraw from the entirety of the Sinai Peninsula. The last troops left Sinai on April 25, 1982, after various stages of withdrawal. This is why the day is celebrated every year in Egypt.
Sinai Liberation Day timeline
Israel first occupies Sinai during the Suez Crisis.
Israel is forced to withdraw from the Sinai peninsula, only to return.
The Camp David Accord between Egypt and Israel takes place after the October War.
The last Israeli soldier left the Sinai peninsula on April 25.
Sinai Liberation Day FAQs
Is Egypt the oldest country in the world?
Coming in behind Iran, Egypt is the second oldest country in the world. It was established in 3100 B.C.
What language does Egypt speak?
The official language of Egypt is Arabic.
What does Sinai mean?
Sinai means hatred.
How to Observe Sinai Liberation Day
Learn about Egypt
Take some time to learn more about Egypt. You’ll find out some fascinating facts about the country.
Enjoy freedom
Freedom is celebrated around the world. It is important to remember to acknowledge and appreciate it.
Face your fears
You can use the holiday as an opportunity to do something that scares you. The struggle for change is what has built successful nations.
5 Intriguing Facts About Egypt
It is a homogenous state
Native Egyptians comprise more than 99% of the population in the country.
It is an Islamic nation
About 90% of the country's population is Muslim, primarily Sunni.
It is home to the world heritages
Egypt houses seven World Heritage sites designated by UNESCO.
It had a world-famous queen
Cleopatra, one of the most famous figures in Egypt, was a Greek woman.
The 12-month calendar
The 365-day calendar in use today was developed in Egypt.
Why Sinai Liberation Day is Important
It creates awareness
The holiday helps to spread awareness about Egypt and its history. This keeps the younger generation educated.
It encourages unity
The holiday celebrates freedom and liberation. This allows everyone to come together as one.
It promotes Egypt
The holiday brings attention to Egypt and attracts tourists. This helps boost the Egyptian economy.
Sinai Liberation Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | April 25 | Friday |
2026 | April 25 | Saturday |
2027 | April 25 | Sunday |
2028 | April 25 | Tuesday |
2029 | April 25 | Wednesday |