Ndadaye Day in Burundi

Throughout the year, Burundians celebrate different cultural traditions and remember various historical events such as Independence Day, Unity Day, the Anniversary of the Assassination of Rwagasore, as well as the Assassination of the late President Ndadaye. Other festivities commemorate various religious traditions, but most celebrations focus on culture.

October 21. Named after Melchoir Ndadaye. He was the first democratically elected president and the first Hutu president of Burundi. Ndadaye won the 1993 elections by having about 66% of the vote. Unfortunately, he was assassinated only after three months in office in a failed coup. Some have dubbed him the "100-day President". Ndadaye's assassination was the spark that led to a decade-long civil war.