Rwanda Independence Day may be on July 1st, but on July 4th, Rwanda observes Liberation Day.  This day marks the end of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the beginning of a new era of peace and rebuilding.  On July 4th, the Rwandan Patriotic Army liberated Kigali, bringing an end to one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history.  Liberation Day is not just a milestone in the country’s military history, but a solemn remembrance of lives lost.  

Rwanda is called the "Land of a Thousand Hills" for its stunning landscapes, but its true beauty lies in the strength of its people.  Rwandans have turned pain into progress not just by rebuilding infrastructure, but also by rebuilding trust, dignity, and national identity.  Liberation Day stands as a tribute to the courage it takes to move forward in remembrance.  Today, Rwandans gather to reflect, remember, and honor the sacrifices that paved the way for peace.  July 4th reminds the world that liberation is not a moment, but a continued promise to build a nation rooted in unity, purpose, and hope.