National Day2026 · Date · History
Official Ethiopian sources identify May 28 as a national day/national holiday associated with the 1991 downfall of the Derg military government. The Ethiopian Investment Commission currently lists May 28, 'Downfall of the Derg,' as a national holiday; earlier Ethiopian News Agency coverage describes May 28 as the country’s National Day.
About National Day
Ethiopian official sources identify May 28 as a National Day/national holiday associated with the 1991 downfall of the Derg military government. The Ethiopian Investment Commission currently lists May 28, “Downfall of the Derg,” as a national holiday.
Older Ethiopian News Agency coverage also calls the anniversary the country’s National Day and says May 28 marks the demise of the military junta. This guide uses that descriptive historical anchor without adopting political praise or criticism from commemorative messaging.
Why National Day matters
May 28 refers to a change of government in 1991 and is treated in reviewed Ethiopian official material as a national anniversary.
The historical event can be described neutrally: the Derg military government fell in 1991, after which Ethiopia entered a different political period. Claims about the merits of either political order are outside this factual observance profile.
History of National Day
Ethiopian News Agency coverage identifies May 28 as the country’s National Day and ties it to the end of the Derg military regime.
The Ethiopian Investment Commission’s current public-holiday information lists May 28, Downfall of the Derg, as a national holiday.
An Ethiopian embassy also maintains National Day material for May 28.
The reviewed official sources do not establish the formal legal instrument that first created the recurring National Day or a directly stated first annual observance, so those details remain unresolved.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
7 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
National Day of Ethiopia
How to Observe National Day
Use May 28 when referring to the National Day identity documented in the reviewed Ethiopian official sources.
Describe the 1991 Derg-downfall milestone neutrally and avoid importing political slogans into factual copy.
For current public-holiday planning, use current Ethiopian government information and relevant institutional notices.
Do not infer a founding law or first edition unless an authoritative source directly establishes it.
National Day Facts
Reviewed Ethiopian official sources identify May 28 with a national anniversary.
The date is associated with the 1991 downfall of the Derg military government.
The Ethiopian Investment Commission currently lists May 28 as a national holiday.
Ethiopian News Agency coverage has described May 28 as the country’s National Day.
The reviewed sources do not establish a formal recurring-observance instrument or directly stated first annual edition.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Embassy of Ethiopia in Japan — National Day (opens in a new tab)
Government Diplomatic
Ethiopian Investment Commission — public holidays (opens in a new tab)
Government First Party
Ethiopian News Agency — National Day / May 28 (opens in a new tab)
State News Agency
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Day?
28 May The documented recurrence rule is: 28 May.
Does National Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Ethiopia. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Day?
The documented basis is: Official Ethiopian sources identify May 28 as a national day/national holiday associated with the 1991 downfall of the Derg military government. The Ethiopian Investment Commission currently lists May 28, 'Downfall of the Derg,' as a national holiday; earlier Ethiopian News Agency coverage describes May 28 as the country’s National Day.. Supporting evidence includes Ethiopian Investment Commission — public holidays. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is National Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Ethiopia. Its fuller verified scope is: Ethiopia.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-02.
When is the Ethiopian National Day represented by this guide?
The reviewed Ethiopian official sources identify May 28 as the relevant National Day/national holiday.
What does May 28 mark?
Official Ethiopian material associates the date with the 1991 downfall of the Derg military government.
Is May 28 listed as a national holiday?
Yes. The Ethiopian Investment Commission currently lists May 28, “Downfall of the Derg,” as a national holiday.
Does this guide take a political position on the 1991 transition?
No. It describes the event and current holiday identity factually and does not adopt political praise or criticism.
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