Majuba Day
Majuba Day (Afrikaans: Majubadag) was a major annual national celebration on 27 February in the South African Republic in the period between the First and Second Boer Wars.[1][2][3] The day was named after the Battle of Majuba Hill (near Volksrust, South Africa) where on 27 February 1881 the main battle of the First Boer War took place.
| Majuba Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 February |
| Next time | 27 February 2023 |
| Frequency | annual |

During the Second Boer War, the surrender of Piet Cronjé to the British after the equally resounding Battle of Paardeberg took place on 27 February 1900,[4] leading Paul Kruger to declare, "The English have taken our Majuba Day away from us".[5]
After the Second Boer War, with the Transvaal Colony (1902–10) under British rule, Majuba Day was replaced by Victoria Day (24 May).[6]
The day is still, however, celebrated by some Afrikaners; such as those in the town of Orania.[7]
References
- Ferguson, Niall (2008). Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power. Basic Books. p. 105. ISBN 9780465013104. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- Black & white illustrated budget. London: Black and White Pub. Co. p. 32. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- Gore, St. John (1901). The green horse in Ladysmith. London: Sampson, Low, Marston and Co. p. 133. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- Morris, Jan (2010). Farewell the Trumpets. Faber & Faber. ISBN 9780571265985. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- Judd, Denis; Surridge, Keith (2013). The Boer War: A History. I.B.Tauris. p. 168. ISBN 9781780765914. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- "[SOUTH-AFRICA] 2 Oct 1950 - article on Public Holidays". RootsWeb. October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- "Voorgrond" (PDF) (in Afrikaans). Orania Beweging. February 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.