Martyrs' Day is observed in Eritrea every June 20, honoring the approximately 60,000 freedom fighters and 90,000 civilians who lost their lives during the Eritrean War of Independence. This conflict began in the early 1960s after Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie dissolved the federation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, leading to a struggle for independence primarily led by the Eritrean Liberation Front. The war concluded in 1991, and Eritrea achieved full independence in 1993. The day is marked by mass mourning processions across the country, with the main remembrance ceremony taking place at the National Martyrs' Park in Asmara, the capital city. The holiday serves as a solemn tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for Eritrea's freedom.