Heroes' Day (South Africa)

The day was named after Paul Kruger, a South African politician who served as president of the South African Republic; the holiday celebrated his birthday on October 10.

The day was used to underline the values and principles of the Afrikaner people.

Kruger was then the vice president, but because he enjoyed so much respect from his people, his birthday was commemorated with a day of feasting.

With the ANC government coming to power in the 1994 elections following the end of apartheid, a new set of holidays replaced the former ones, and Kruger Day was no longer recognized as a public holiday.

Heroes' Day remains one of six holidays in the Afrikaner enclave of Orania,[3][4] and events in the spirit of Heroes' Day are promoted by some schools and cultural organisations,[5][6][7] and held on the Saturday nearest 10 October.

Paul Kruger, after whom Kruger Day was named
A young Kruger retrieves the body of a fallen commander during the siege of Makapansgat