The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi and the subsequent protests in Tunisia had a profound effect upon the Egyptian people. Egypt had been under the rule of President Hosni Mubarak for thirty years, and the economic situation was extremely similar to that of Tunisia. Egyptians were frustrated with rampant levels of unemployment and inflation, and demanded a change. The revolution in Tunisia was simply the push that was necessary for Egypt to start its own protests.
Opposition groups decided upon January 25th, 2011 for the start of protests in Egypt. This would coincide with Egyptian National Police Day, and would protest abuses by police. Opposition leaders and public figures openly supported the movement, and social media as well as leaflets and handouts were used to spread the news about the protest.
On January 25th, known as the “Day of Revolt,” tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Cairo and other cities across Egypt. The Egyptian Revolution had begun.
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