Assyrian Martyrs Day is observed worldwide every August 7 to commemorate the victims of massacres and genocide faced by the Assyrian people, particularly the Simele massacre in Iraq in 1933, where thousands were killed by Iraqi armed forces. This day serves as a National Day of Mourning for Assyrians, honoring their fallen brothers and sisters. The observance was officially established by the Assyrian Universal Alliance in 1970. Modern Assyrians, who claim descent from the ancient Assyrian Empire, primarily inhabit parts of Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria, and many belong to the Assyrian Church of the East or other Eastern Christian Churches. The Assyrian diaspora is significant in countries like the United States, Sweden, Germany, and Australia. The day is marked by remembrance activities that reflect on the tragic history of the Assyrian community.