25th January Feast

25 January is a public holiday in Egypt that marks two different events: National Police Day, which recalls a confrontation in Ismailia in 1952, and the anniversary of the revolution that began on the same date in 2011.

Police Day: Ismailia, 1952

In January 1952 British troops still occupied the Suez Canal Zone. On 25 January British forces demanded that Egyptian police in Ismailia hand over the governorate headquarters and leave the city. The police refused, and in the fighting that followed around 50 policemen were killed and some 80 wounded; the survivors were taken prisoner. News and photographs of the battle provoked anger across Egypt and fed into the unrest that preceded the July 1952 revolution. The date has long been commemorated as Police Day and became an official holiday in 2009.

The 2011 revolution

Protesters chose Police Day 2011 to begin large demonstrations, centred on Tahrir Square in Cairo. After 18 days of protests, President Hosni Mubarak resigned on 11 February 2011, ending nearly 30 years in office. The holiday now officially honours both the police and the anniversary of the January 25 Revolution.

What to expect

• Government offices, banks and many businesses close. When the 25th falls mid-week, the government sometimes moves the day off to a Thursday to create a long weekend; in 2026, for example, it was observed on Thursday 29 January.
• Museums, archaeological sites, shops and restaurants usually stay open, and tourist services run largely as normal.
• Official ceremonies are held at the Police Academy and covered on television; expect a visible security presence in central Cairo.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, egypttoday.com, cairo.gov.eg.