In May 2012, the National Assembly of Afghanistan accepted September 9 (or September 8, variable per Solar Hijri calendar) as "a new national holiday to honour national hero Ahmad Shah Massoud and those who died fighting for the country."
[1] Ahmad Shah Massoud was an Afghan military leader from Panjshir Valley.
Massoud Day is a holiday in Afghanistan that occurs each year as a commemoration of his death.
[2] It has also been recognised officially by San Diego County, California, home to the highest concentration of Afghani immigrants and refugees.
[3] The holiday is celebrated as Haftai Shahid, or "Martyr Week".