Day Of Remembrance in Cambodia
The National Day of Remembrance is an annual event observed in Cambodia on May 20th. It was formerly known as the National Day of Hatred, and it commemorates the Cambodian genocide of the Khmer Rouge regime—a genocide that occurred between 1975 and 1979 in Cambodia.
Cambodia (Public holiday)This day has been a national holiday since 2018 and has been observed every year since. However, it is a holiday that goes back even further than that and was actually first launched in the People’s Republic of Kampuchea on May 20, 1984.
The History Of The National Day Of Remembrance In Cambodia
This commemorative day was first started on May 20, 1984, in the People’s Republic of Kampuchea. It was launched in September of the previous year by a conference of about 300 clergy, scholars, and intellectuals. May 20th was selected because this is when the mass killings began in Democratic Kampuchea on May 20, 1975.
The full title of the event was “Day of Hatred against the genocidal Pol Pot-Ieng Sary-Khieu Samphan clique and the Sihanouk-Son Sann reactionary groups.” During the ’80s and ’90s, the National Day of Hatred was often marked by the burning of Pol Pot effigies and spirited speeches. In 2018, this day became an official holiday in Cambodia.
Fun Facts About Cambodia
Cambodia is a country rich in history and culture. So much so that it can be difficult to choose which facts to use. We decided on the following facts that we think everyone can appreciate.
- Cambodia has been inhabited since at least 4,000 B.C.
- During the war years, millions of land mines were planted all over Cambodia.
- During the Vietnam War, the United States bombed Cambodia from 1963 to 1973.
Observing National Day Of Remembrance In Cambodia
This holiday is observed with speeches, parades, and sometimes the burning of Pol Pot effigies. It is a day that attempts to keep the memory of the Khmer Rouge regime’s genocide intact in the minds of the people, not only to preserve the legacy of the victims but to ensure that no such atrocity happens ever again. It is also a day for people to spend time with their friends and family members.
Cambodia (Public holiday)
