A national annual public holiday in Malawi, this day honours the political heroes who gave their lives in the struggle against British colonialism between 1891 and 1964. The day is marked by speeches and church services. It marks the protests in 1959 that led to the British declaring a state of emergency on 3 March. The state of emergency lasted until 1960, during which 51 Malawians were killed and scores more were injured and detained. Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964.