Human Rights Day
Commemorates the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the establishment of the SAHRC
Quick Facts
Pre-Independence
Established before national independence
Holiday Type
Classification in South Africa
Established
Officially instituted in South Africa
About Human Rights Day
Commemorates the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the establishment of the SAHRC
Human Rights Day commemorates the Sharpeville massacre and the fight for civil rights.
The Sharpeville massacre occurred on March 21, 1960, when police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against pass laws. 69 people were killed and 180 wounded. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) was later launched on March 21, 1996, exactly 35 years after the massacre. The protest was against the Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952, which required all Africans to carry reference books. The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) organized a peaceful anti-Pass campaign where African men would present themselves for arrest without their passes. Today, this date also marks the implementation of the Bill of Rights, a cornerstone of South African democracy.
Practical Information in South Africa
Banks
Banks are closed
🏦 ClosedSchools
Educational institutions are closed
🏫 ClosedGovernment Offices
Government services unavailable
🏛️ ClosedHistorical Significance in South Africa
On March 21, 1960, police opened fire on peaceful protesters in Sharpeville, leading to the massacre.
Calendar Details
Calendar Systems
Types of Celebration
memorial
Traditional memorial celebrations
national
Traditional national celebrations
constitutional
Traditional constitutional celebrations
Historical Timeline
Instituted in South Africa
🇿🇦Holiday officially established in South Africa
📅 EstablishedLast observed in South Africa
🇿🇦Final celebration recorded in South Africa
⏰ Last Observed