---
title: "Ethiopian Martyrs' Day in Ethiopia | Taste of Ethiopia"
description: "Explore Ethiopian Martyrs' Day in Ethiopia: its date, meaning and traditions, with a live countdown and cultural guide from Taste of Ethiopia."
url: "https://testofethiopiarestaurant.com.au/events/yekatit-12"
---

National memorial day

# Ethiopian Martyrs' Day

የካቲት ፲፪

Yekatit 12 remembers Ethiopians killed during the Italian occupation, especially the Addis Ababa massacre of February 1937.

Saturday 20 February 2027

**\--** days  **\--** hours  **\--** minutes  **\--** seconds

Yekatit 13, 2019 E.C. · Addis Ababa time

![The Yekatit 12 memorial monument in Addis Ababa](https://testofethiopiarestaurant.com.au/assets/events/yekatit-12.webp)

Photo: [Sailko, CC BY 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antun_Augustin%C4%8Di%C4%87_e_Frano_Kr%C5%A1ini%C4%87,_monumento_allo_yehkatit_12,_1955,_01.jpg)

CALENDAR NOTE

Observed on 20 February. It is a memorial national holiday, so public services remain open.

[View the full cultural calendar](https://testofethiopiarestaurant.com.au/events)

01 · MEANING

## What it means.

The memorial honours civilians and patriots who lost their lives after the attempted assassination of the Italian viceroy Rodolfo Graziani triggered days of mass killing.

02 · TRADITION

## How it is marked.

Commemorations centre on wreath-laying, remembrance and public reflection. The Yekatit 12 Monument at Siddist Kilo in Addis Ababa is a principal site.

03 · EXPERIENCE

## What you may see.

This is a solemn memorial rather than a festival. Visitors should approach ceremonies quietly and follow the lead of local participants.

[Next in the cultural year **Adwa Victory Day**](https://testofethiopiarestaurant.com.au/events/adwa-victory-day)

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