Today we want to wish a Blessed Commemoration Day to the people of Madagascar! This day memorializes those who died in the rebellion of 1947 against French colonization. The uprising was suppressed after over a year of bitter fighting, with 8,000 to 90,000 people killed.

The Madagascar people were seeking their independence, as the French promoted forced labor. Only at the end of 1946 was compulsory labor abolished, after much opposition. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.

A Little About Madagascar 

- Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species. 

- Two-thirds of the population live below the international poverty line of US $1.25 per day. 

- Nearly half of the land of Madagascar is covered with forest.

 - The official languages of the country are Malagasy, French and English. 

- As much as 52% of the total population of Madagascar follows animist beliefs, while 41% follows Christianity. The remaining popular predominantly follows Islam. 

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