Martyr facts for kids

From the Gallery of 20th Century Martyrs at Westminster Abbey—l. to r. Mother Elizabeth of Russia, Rev. Martin Luther King, Archbishop Oscar Romero and Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A martyr is originally a witness and now means a person who died or was killed because of their faith, for example Saint Stephen. It is often used for people who died for any belief or idea, especially in politics.

Martyrs' Day is an annual day observed by nations to salute the martyrdom of soldiers who lost their lives defending the sovereignty of the nation. The actual date may vary from one country to another.

Images for kids

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  The Christian Martyrs of Japan; 17th-century Japanese painting

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  The painting commemorating the martyrdom of the 3rd Shia Imam Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala, 680 AD

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  Sculpture at Mehdiana Sahib of the execution of Banda Singh Bahadur by Mughals in 1716

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  Interior of the Coliseum at the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs, Auriesville, New York, showing the sanctuary and high altar.

See also

In Spanish: Mártir para niños