When is Day of National Unity?
Also known as Independence Restoration Day, the Day of National Unity is a public holiday in Georgia celebrated annually on April 9th.
This public holiday marks the commemoration of the Tbilisi Massacre (also known as the April 9th tragedy 1989 or Tbilisi tragedy), when a peaceful anti-Soviet demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue, in Tbilisi was dispersed by the Soviet Army, resulting in at least 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
History of Day of National Unity
The anti-Soviet movement in Georgia had gained momentum in 1988 with several strikes and meetings taking place in Tbilisi. On April 4th 1989, many thousands of protestors gathered before the Government House on Rustaveli Ave in Tbilisi.
Local Soviet authorities lost control of the situation in the capital city and were unable to control the protests. On April 8th 1989, Colonel General Igor Rodionov, the Commander of the Transcaucasia Military District, ordered his troops to mobilise.
At 4am on April 9th, the Soviet Army crushed the protestors. Sixteen demonstrators were killed at the scene and four others died later from the injuries they had sustained. 16 of the victims were women and the youngest victims were 16 years old. Hundreds of activists were injured, needing medical attention.
It was later shown that the Soviet troops had used toxic agents against the demonstrators, which accounted for most of the fatalities.
This holiday also marks the restoration of Georgia’s independence. On April 9th 1991, the second anniversary of the tragedy, the Georgian legislative body passed a declaration of independence based on the results of the March 31st 1991 referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of Georgians (90.5% turnout, 99% in favour) voted to secede from the Soviet Union.
From early morning on April 9th, families of the fallen and other community members will gather outside the Parliament Building in Tbilisi to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy.
