President Ntaryamira Day in Burundi ― Date, History, and Details
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History of President Ntaryamira Day in Burundi and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
President Ntaryamira Day is a national holiday in Burundi, commemorating the life and accomplishments of the country’s first democratically elected president, Melchior Ntaryamira. Ntaryamira was born in 1953 in the small town of Rutana, located in central Burundi. He attended Catholic schools before studying economics at the University of Rwanda. After graduation, he worked as a civil servant in the Burundian government. In 1983, he was elected to parliament, and in 1987 he became the vice-president of the National Assembly.
In 1993, Ntaryamira was elected president of Burundi. He took office at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war. Under his leadership, Burundi managed to avoid the outbreak of violence. However, in 1994, he was killed in a plane crash, along with the president of Rwanda. His death plunged Burundi into a period of political turmoil.
Today, President Ntaryamira Day is observed as a day of national mourning. On this day, Burundians remember the contributions of their first democratically elected president. They also reaffirm their commitment to peace and democracy.