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Yom Ha-Atzmaut is Israel's independence day. It falls on the 5th of the Jewish lunar month Iyyar. It celebrates the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, and the end of the British Mandate in Israel.

It is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israel fallen soldiers Remembrance Day on the 4th of Iyar.

Yom Ha'atzma'ut falls on the 5th day of Iyar on the Hebrew calendar. When the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, as in 2005, the official celebration may be moved to the preceding Thursday. The Gregorian date for the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed is May 14th, 1948 when David ben Gurion publicly read the Proclamation of the establishment of the State of Israel.

An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl on the eve of Yom Ha'atzma'ut. The ceremony include speeches from senior Israeli officials, an artistic part, a ritual march of soldiers carrying the Flag of Israel, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and a number which represents the age of Israel) and the lighting of twelve beacons (each for every one of the Tribes of Israel). Each year, dozens of Israeli citizens who contributed to the state, are selected to light the beacons.

Other traditional events of Yom Ha'atzma'ut:

• The International Bible Trivia Quiz חידון התנ"ך העולמי.
• Israel PrizeThe Israel Prize is the most highly regarded award in Israel. It was first awarded in 1953 by the Minister of Education Ben-Tzur Dinor, and has been awarded every year since then on the eve of the Israeli Day of Independence. Each year there is a group of ceremony טקס חלוקת פרס ישראל.

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• Yom Haatzmaut