Martyrs Day in Mali is the deposition in March 26, 1991 of Moussa Traoré who led the country from 1968.
March 26 is a public holiday in the Republic of Mali known as Martyrs' Day or Democracy Day.
It commemorates the 1991 coup that marked the beginning of transition to multiparty democracy in the country.
In 1960, Mali proclaimed its independence.
Modibo Keïta became the country's first president.
In 1968, Keïta was ousted in a bloodless military coup organized by a group of young officers.
Moussa Traoré became the new president of Mali.
In 1974, a new constitution was adopted, officially creating a one-party state.
In 1975, Traoré established a new political party, Democratic Union of the Malian People, in order to provide the military junta with political legitimacy.
Traoré's regime brutally suppressed all anti-government demonstrations and coup attempts.
March 1991 students and government workers started an anti-government riot.
On March 26, 1991 Traoré was arrested by a group of military officers, led by Amadou Toumani Touré.
This event marked the beginning of democratic reforms in the country.
