Martyrs' Day is observed in South Sudan every July 30 as a public holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of John Garang de Mabior, a pivotal figure in the country's history. Garang, a Sudanese politician and military officer, led the Second Sudanese Civil War, which ultimately resulted in South Sudan's independence. He died in a helicopter crash on July 30, 2005, after a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Following his death, revolutionaries began observing his anniversary as Martyrs' Day in 2006, and it was officially recognized as a public holiday after South Sudan gained independence in 2011. On this day, solemn remembrance ceremonies are held in the capital city of Juba to honor those who lost their lives in the struggle for independence and those who fell victim to the South Sudanese Civil War that began in 2013.