Croatia observes its Remembrance Day to honour all victims of the Homeland War, particularly those who perished in the cities of Vukovar and Škabrnja in 1991.
The official name of the holiday, Dan sjećanja na sve žrtve Domovinskog rata i Dan sjećanja na žrtve Vukovara i Škabrnje, reflects the dual focus of remembrance — the collective national sacrifice and the tragic events that struck two of the war’s most symbolically important communities. The day is marked with solemn ceremonies, memorial marches, and candlelit vigils across the country, most notably in Vukovar, where thousands walk the “Path of Remembrance” from the city hospital to the Memorial Cemetery.
As a state holiday established in 2020, 18 November unites the nation in grief and gratitude, paying tribute to the endurance, courage, and humanity shown during Croatia’s struggle for independence and peace.
Remembrance Day commemorates two defining tragedies of the 1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence, known domestically as the Homeland War. The first is the fall of Vukovar, following an 87-day siege by the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and Serbian paramilitary forces. Between August and November 1991, Vukovar endured relentless bombardment that left the city in ruins. When it finally fell on 18 November 1991, at least 1,624 people had been killed, including 12 children, and more than 1,200 were wounded. Over 22,000 Croats and other non-Serb residents were expelled, and hundreds of defenders and civilians were taken prisoner or went missing.
On the same day, tragedy struck the nearby village of Škabrnja, northeast of Zadar, where 62 civilians and five captured soldiers were killed in a massacre carried out by JNA and paramilitary units. The violence in both Vukovar and Škabrnja became enduring symbols of the brutality of the conflict and the resilience of the Croatian people.
Since the end of the war, 18 November has evolved into a national day of collective mourning and remembrance. Public officials, veterans, families of the fallen, and citizens gather to lay wreaths, light candles, and read the names of victims. In Vukovar, the water tower — preserved in its war-damaged state — stands as a central monument of remembrance. The day is marked by lowered flags, closed shops, and silent processions, underscoring the solemnity of the occasion.
Remembrance Day serves as both a commemoration and a moral reminder of the cost of freedom. It reinforces Croatia’s commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the preservation of memory for future generations, ensuring that the sacrifices of 1991 are never forgotten.
