Martyr's Day is observed in Malawi every March 3 to honor political heroes who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against British colonialism. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of an uprising led by Hastings Banda and other leaders of the Nyasaland African Congress in 1959, which protested the formation of the Central African Federation. Following the uprising, Banda and his colleagues were imprisoned, and the congress was banned. On this day, politicians deliver solemn speeches to pay tribute to those who died during the uprising, and the President, along with other officials, lays wreaths at memorials dedicated to the fighters for independence. Martyr's Day is recognized as a public holiday in Malawi, reflecting the nation's historical struggle for freedom.