HolidayList
📅 holiday

Karume Day

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

— days to go

Each 7 April is Karume Day in Tanzania to remember the legacy of Abeid Karume, the first president of Zanzibar and the first Vice President of Tanzania. The date of this holiday is the day on which Karume was assassinated in 1972. In 2027, Karume Day falls on Wednesday 7 April. The holiday will be on Friday 7 April in 2028. When the island of Zanzibar gained independence from the British Empire in 1963, it was initially a constitutional monarchy with a sultan. The sultanate was overthrown, however, in 1964, ending five centuries of Arab domination of Zanzibar. It was a quick, but bloody, revolution in which thousands of ethnic Arabs and Indians were massacred. Abeid Amani Karume was on the African continent during the revolution but was soon called back to Zanzibar to take part in the government. Soon, however, a power struggle developed, which ultimately led to Karume banning his opponent John Okello from Zanzibar and taking charge himself as president. Soon thereafter, Karume led Zanzibar into union with Tanganyika to form the new united republic of “Tanzania”. Karume’s actions helped ensure Zanzibar would not align itself with the Soviet Union during the cold war, but he also had many enemies. He was mowed down by four gunmen on 7 April, 1972, in Zanzibar Town. Today, he is remembered every 7 April in the national holiday called, in full, “The Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day”.

History

Birth of Karume. Abeid Amani Karume was born on August 4, 1924, in the town of Chwaka, on the island of Zanzibar This observance marks an important moment in history, remembered annually for its cultural and historical significance.

How It's Celebrated

Celebrate by learning more about the occasion, sharing on social media with relevant hashtags, participating in community events, or taking small personal actions that align with the day's theme.

Other Years

2026 Tue
7 Apr
2027 Wed
7 Apr
2028 Fri
7 Apr
2025 Mon
7 Apr
2024 Sun
7 Apr

Countries

🇹🇿 TZ

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