Zanzibar Revolution Day, held every year on 12th January, is a public holiday in Tanzania that marks the revolution in 1964 when around 20,000 people of Arab and Indian descent were killed in an uprising against the Sultan of Zanzibar. The island was under the reign of Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah when the Afro-Shirazi Party led by Abeid Karume, initiated the rebellion. The revolution resulted in the Sultan being overthrown and fleeing to exile in England. This was the day when the people of Zanzibar declared their freedom, ending the 200-year-old Arab dominance on the island.
Following the revolution, Zanzibar merged with the mainland territory of Tanganyika to form the modern-day United Republic of Tanzania. The merger was aimed at consolidating the political power in the region and creating a front against the emerging forces of neo-colonialism. Even though their administrative structures have remained somewhat separate, Zanzibar still plays a significant part in the politics, economy and culture of Tanzania. However, the revolution has remained a sensitive and somewhat controversial topic in the country due to the violence and bloodshed involved.
On Zanzibar Revolution Day, various activities are held in Tanzania. Schools and institutions organize different educational and cultural programs related to the day. The government arranges official ceremonies and functions where political leaders deliver speeches on the importance of the day and local communities participate. There are also public gatherings, where people pay respect to those who lost their lives during the revolution. Despite the difficult history, the day is seen as a moment of reflection and acknowledgment of the path toward self-determination and freedom.