Liberation Day, also known as Kwibohora, is a public holiday that is annually observed on July 4th in Rwanda. This day commemorates the military victory in 1994 by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which ended the genocide that had taken place against the Tutsi ethnic group. Each year, Rwanda celebrates by holding various events and ceremonies across the country, instilling a sense of national pride, unity, and gratitude towards the emancipation it now enjoys. The celebrations also highlight the tangible development and progress that has been made since the war.
There is a whole sense of history behind Rwanda's Liberation Day. In 1990, the RPF, which was largely made up of Tutsi refugees, launched a civil war against Rwanda's Hutu-led government. This later erupted into a fully-fledged genocide in 1994, resulting in the brutal killing of over 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu in just 100 days. The RPF's victory on July 4th, 1994, halted this gruesome massacre and has since been marked as Rwanda’s Liberation Day. This day is not only remembered for its historical context but also for its symbolic representation – showing the world of the resilience and strength Rwandans possess.
Liberation Day in Rwanda is more than just a historical remembrance; it is a reaffirmation of national unity, strength, and the resilience of its people. It is typically marked with activities such as the laying of wreaths at memorial sites, parades, dances, and speeches by government officials focusing on continued peace, development, and reconciliation. It's also a day to recommit individual effort and celebrate collective achievements, but most importantly, it is a day of reflection on the country's dark past while maintaining a focus on a promising and prosperous future.