Democracy Day, known as Prajatantra Diwas, is observed in Nepal every February 18. This day commemorates the overthrow of the Rana dynasty, which ruled Nepal from 1846 until 1951. The Rana dynasty's power began with the Kot massacre, where King Chautariya Fate Janga Shah and other palace officials were killed, leading to Janga Bahadur Kunwar becoming the first ruler of the dynasty. The monarchy was largely symbolic during this period, especially after King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah's death, when his young son Tribhuvan was crowned and his mother acted as regent. In 1950, Tribhuvan fled to India, prompting a rebellion against the Ranas, which resulted in significant democratic reforms. Tribhuvan returned to Nepal on February 18, 1951, marking the end of the Rana dynasty and the establishment of a more democratic governance structure.