Republic Day, also known as Ilinden, is observed in North Macedonia every August 2. This significant public and religious holiday commemorates two pivotal events in the country's history: the Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1903 and the first plenary session of the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia in 1944, which proclaimed a Macedonian nation-state. The day is marked by celebrations that blend religious significance, as it coincides with the feast of Saint Elijah in the Orthodox Church, and remnants of ancient pagan traditions. The main festivities take place in the town of Kruševo, where the rebels declared a short-lived republic during the Ilinden Uprising. This holiday has been celebrated for centuries, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and historical importance to the Macedonian people.