Victory Day at the Battle of Adua in Ethiopia (02/03)

Every year on March 2, Ethiopia celebrates the public holiday — Battle of Aduwa Day. Ethiopia — is the only country in Africa that has never been a colony of anyone in its history. However, attempts to subjugate the country have been made repeatedly.

Thus, in 1869, the Suez Canal was opened, as a result of which the Red Sea coast began to attract Europeans. Italy focused on Ethiopia. In 1872, the Italians captured the port of Assab, and in 1885 — Massawa.

Four years later, Italy and Ethiopia signed an agreement, however, the Italian version differed from the Amharic one, and according to it, Ethiopia became a protectorate of Italy.

As a result, war broke out in 1895, ending less than a year later in a crushing defeat for Italy.

The victory was won on March 2, 1896.

Italian troops lost 11 thousand people killed and wounded, and up to 4 thousand were captured. In addition, during the retreat, Italian troops suffered additional losses as a result of attacks by hostile local residents. The trophies of the Ethiopians were enemy weapons and military equipment. The losses of the Ethiopian army amounted to 5 thousand people killed and (according to various estimates) from 6 to 10 thousand people wounded.

On October 26, 1896, a peace treaty was signed in Addis Ababa, according to which Italy was forced to recognize the sovereignty of Ethiopia and pay an indemnity. In addition, as a result of the victory, an anti-colonial movement was born in the country.

Since then, the victory at Adua has made history, and Ethiopians celebrate it annually as a national holiday.

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