Yom Ha'atzma'ut, or Israeli Independence Day, is the sole statutory day off in Israel. It marks the day in 1948 when Israel declared its independence.
May 14, 1948, is the Gregorian date for the day that Israel's independence was declared. On that day, David ben Gurion read the Proclamation of the Establishment of the State of Israel and the end of the British Mandate in Israel.
Every year, there is a formal celebration on Mount Herzl the night before Yom Ha'atzma'ut.
Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) comes before Independence Day. It has been Israel's official day of memory since it became legislation in 1963. In addition to honouring those who have died while serving their nation, the day also honours the civilian victims of terrorism.
The juxtaposition of the two days is an important part of the experience of national freedom. It makes sure that the celebrations of independence are not completely isolated from the knowledge of the cost of the victory, which is frequently learnt through the sacrifice of the fallen and their families.
