Colonial Repression Martyrs' Day is observed in Angola every January 4, commemorating the significant events in the country's struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule. The day marks the uprising of Angolan peasants against the oppressive conditions imposed by the Portuguese cotton company, which culminated in the massacre of over 10,000 individuals on January 4, 1961. This tragic event sparked a multi-faction struggle across the nation, leading to the formation of several national movements and a separatist movement, which continued until the overthrow of the Portuguese Estado Novo regime in 1974. The uprising is recognized as a pivotal moment in Angola's national liberation struggle, awakening a collective consciousness for freedom and emancipation among the Angolan people.