Ethiopian National Day: Battle of Adwa

Ethiopia celebrates the Victory of Adowa, also known as Battle of Adwa (Adowa or Adua in Italian), every 1st of March every year. The Battle of Adowa that sparked between Ethiopia and Italy on March 1, 1896.

The Victory of Adwa marks this event as a celebration for national unity and progress and sends a real message to the European countries that not all African countries are “for the taking” by ambitious European countries.

Ethiopia celebrates the victory of Adwa by visiting monuments and cemeteries to honor those who perished in the Battle of Adwa. Government officials usually conduct public ceremonies and put wreath especially under the monument of Emperor Menelik II at Menelik Square.
Public officials would usually deliver speeches encouraging the public to enliven the values of Ethiopian and learn from the patriotism of the heroes of Adwa who bravely resisted colonial rule. Since this is a national holiday, most Ethiopians usually stay at home, while some visit at park or attend cultural events.