Capital: Addis Ababa. Major Cities: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Nazret, Harer, Mekele, Jima, Dese, Bahir Dar, and Debre Zeyit (in order of decreasing size, 1994 census). Independence: Ethiopia celebrates May 28 as its National Day, the date of the defeat of the military government (Derg) in 1991. Public Holidays: Ethiopians observe the following public holidays: Christmas (January 7, 2005*), Epiphany (January 19, 2005*), Feast of the Sacrifice/Eid al Adha (January 21, 2005*), Battle of Adowa (March 2, 2005), Birth of the Prophet/Mouloud (April 21, 2005*), Good Friday (April 29, 2005*), May Day (May 1, 2005), Easter Monday (May 2, 2005*), Patriots' Victory Day (May 5, 2005), Downfall of the Derg (May 28, 2005), New Year's Day (September 11, 2005*), Feast of the True Cross (September 27, 2005*), End of Ramadan/Eid al Fitr (November 4, 2005*). Asterisks indicate holidays with variable dates according to either the Islamic or Orthodox calendar.