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Liberation Day
Kuwait

Liberation Day 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Kuwait

Every 26 February is a public holiday called “Liberation Day”, which looks back to the day in 1991 when Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the First Gulf War.

YearDateDayHoliday
202526 FebWedLiberation Day
202626 FebThuLiberation Day
202726 FebFriLiberation Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

After its independence from British control, Kuwait quickly became one of the richest nations in the Gulf Region, based upon its huge store of oil that was being exploited and exported.

During the Iran-Iraq War, it was partly on money derived from Kuwait that Iraq waged its warfare. But at the same time, Kuwait actually became in debt to Iraq. Later on, Iraq refused to dismiss a billion-dollar debt Kuwait owed it, and an excuse was had to invade the country over this and other issues in 1990.

This put Iraq in control of a huge percentage of the world’s oil supply, and 34 nations joined together, led by the U.S. and the U.N., and expelled the Iraqi invaders by 26 February, 1991.

In Kuwait, Liberation Day is celebrated by day-long public meetings and public parades. It is a time to be thankful for the independence the country enjoys to this day.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202426 FebMonLiberation Day
202326 FebSunLiberation Day