On May 14, 1948, Israel declared its independence. Just a few hours later, the War of Independence broke out when 5 neighboring countries’ armies invaded Israel. The war lasted 10 months and resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 soldiers and 2,000 civilians. 

For the first two years after the Independence War, Israeli Independence Day was also a day to honor the fallen soldiers in memorial services and people visiting their graves. The commemorations occurred parallel to Independence Day celebrations. The families of fallen soldiers requested that the day be split up into two different days out of respect for those who lost their lives. As a result, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion decided that Israeli Memorial Day would take place on the 4 of Iyar and Israeli Independence Day would take place the following day. 

Today, 75 years after the Declaration of Independence and the many wars that ensued, people in Israel and around the world continue to commemorate those who fell in the defense of Israel. In the late 1990s, it was decided that Israeli Memorial Day would also honor those who were killed in acts of terrorism.

Israeli Memorial Day officially begins at sundown, with life in Israel coming to a halt for 24 hours. There are two sirens that sound all across Israel, a one-minute siren at night and two minutes the following morning. 

The following day then transitions into the momentous Independence Day, celebrating the establishment of the State of Israel. The two days follow one another as Israel’s independence is owed to the 24,213 who sacrificed their lives and vow to celebrate their memory.