Yom Ha'atzma'ut

Yom Ha'atzma'ut (יום העצמאות yom hā-‘aṣmā’ūṯ), Israeli Independence Day, commemorates the declaration of independence of Israel in 1948.

Related Topics:
Israel - 1948

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Yom Ha-Atzmaut is Israel's independence day. It falls on the 5th of the Jewish lunar month Iyyar. It celebrates the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, and the end of the British Mandate in Israel.

Related Topics:
Israel - Jewish lunar month - Iyyar - David Ben Gurion - Tel Aviv - May 14 - 1948

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It is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israel fallen soldiers Remembrance Day on the 4th of Iyar.

Related Topics:
Yom Hazikaron - Israel fallen soldiers Remembrance Day - Iyar

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Yom Ha'atzma'ut falls on the 5th day of Iyar ( ה' באייר) on the Hebrew calendar. When the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, as in 2005, the official celebration may be moved to the preceding Thursday. The Gregorian date for the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed is May 14th, 1948 when David ben Gurion publicly read the Proclamation of the establishment of the State of Israel.

Related Topics:
Iyar - Hebrew calendar - May 14th - 1948 - David ben Gurion - Proclamation of the establishment of the State of Israel

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An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl on the eve of Yom Ha'atzma'ut. The ceremony include speeches from senior Israeli officials, an artistic part, a ritual march of soldiers carrying the Flag of Israel, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and a number which represents the age of Israel) and the lighting of twelve beacons (each for every one of the Tribes of Israel). Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the beacons.

Related Topics:
Mount Herzl - Flag of Israel - Menorah - Magen David - Tribes of Israel

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Other traditional events of Yom Ha'atzma'ut:

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• The International Bible Trivia Quiz חידון התנ"ך העולמי.
• Israel Prize ceremony טקס חלוקת פרס ישראל.

Gregorian dates for Yom Ha'atzma'ut:

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• May 12, 2005 (Thursday)
• May 3, 2006 (Wednesday)
• April 23, 2007 (Monday)
• May 8, 2008 (Thursday)
• April 29, 2009 (Wednesday)
 
Yom Ha'atzma'ut: New Israeli/Jewish holidays ►