Thousands of Egyptians have gathered on Cairo's Tahrir Square to mark the first anniversary of the mass revolt that forced Hosni Mubarak to resign as president. A year ago, inspired by an uprising in Tunisia, Egyptians took to the streets to call for demo
Tens of thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo to mark the first anniversary of the mass revolt that forced Hosni Mubarak to resign as president.
Exactly one year ago, inspired by an uprising in Tunisia, Egyptians took to the streets to call for democratic change and to demand the fall of the regime.
The demonstrators on January 25 massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which was the focal point of the protests that eventually led to Mubarak's ouster on February 11.
Supporters of Islamist parties and pro-reform demonstrators rallied on different sides of the square.
Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups -- banned under Mubarak -- said they had gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the toppling of Mubarak's regime. On the other side of Tahrir, pro-reform demonstrators were demanding a swift end to army rule and the prosecution of officials responsible for the killing of more than 800 demonstrators during last year's protests.
PHOTO GALLERY: A Look Back At The Egyptian Revolution
18 Days: A Look Back At The Egyptian Revolution
1/25Demonstrators clash with police in central Cairo on January 25, 2011. The protesters were inspired by the uprising in Tunisia that led to the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
2/25An antigovernment protester defaces a picture of President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria on January 25, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
3/25Police use a water cannon against antigovernment protesters in downtown Cairo on January 25, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
4/25Demonstrators protest near police on January 25, 2011, to demand the ouster of Mubarak and call for reforms.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
5/25A protester attends to an injured man during clashes in Cairo on January 28, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
6/25Egyptians gather around the burning headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party in Cairo on January 28, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
7/25Egyptian protesters run for cover as police open fire on crowds in central Cairo on January 29, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
8/25Protesters carry the body of a man killed during an attempt to storm the Interior Ministry in Cairo on January 29, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
9/25An Egyptian man displays empty bullet cartridges in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on January 29, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
10/25Egyptian demonstrators gather around a wounded comrade shot by police during clashes near Tahrir Square on January 29, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
11/25An Egyptian civilian kisses an army soldier after troops took position at major junctions in central Cairo on January 29, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
12/25Hungry and thirsty protesters reach out for food and drink during mass demonstrations in Tahrir Square on February 8, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
13/25An injured protester takes part in mass demonstrations in Tahrir Square on February 9, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
14/25President Hosni Mubarak speaks to the nation on February 10, 2011. It was thought Mubarak would announce he was stepping down, but protesters left disappointed.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
15/25Demonstrators react as they listen to Mubarak's speech in front of a big screen in Tahrir Square on February 10, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
16/25An Egyptian soldier is mobbed by celebrating protesters in Tahrir Square on February 10, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
17/25Demonstrators crowd Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 10, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
18/25Egyptian antigovernment bloggers work on their laptops from Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 10, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
19/25Antigovernment protesters march in the coastal city of Alexandria on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
20/25An Egyptian flag with January 25 -- the date the uprising started -- written on it is seen amid the crowd near army tanks on Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
21/25Antigoverment demonstrators flood Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
22/25Opposition supporters attend Friday Prayers on Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
23/25Protesters demonstrate by raising their shoes in front of the Egyptian national TV building in Cairo on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
24/25Protesters celebrate in Tahrir Square after the announcement by Vice President Omar Suleiman that Mubarak had stepped down on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
25/25Protesters celebrate in Tahrir Square after the announcement of Mubarak's resignation on February 11, 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on January 25, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the mass public revolt that forced longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak to eventually resign as president. More than 800 protesters died in the unrest. Here's a look back at the 18 momentous days of the Egyptian revolution.
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On January 24, Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, announced that a decades-long emergency law will be partially lifted.
"Now that the people have voiced their word and have chosen members of parliament , I have taken the decision to end the state of emergency throughout the republic except when facing crimes committed by thugs," he said.
"This decision will take effect as of January 25, 2012."
Tantawi's definition of "thuggery" was not immediately known, but the regime has previously used the expression "thugs" to justify crackdowns on protesters demanding a return to civilian rule.
'Revolution Day'
Human Rights Watch on January 25 condemned the announcement, calling it "an invitation to continued abuse" and the stifling of freedoms.
The anniversary of the anti-Mubarak revolt comes just two days after the newly elected parliament met for the first time on January 23.
The Freedom and Justice Party of the Muslim Brotherhood -- which was banned under Mubarak -- holds the largest number of seats following Egypt's first free elections in decades.
In an acknowledgment of the events of one year ago, the ruling military council has declared January 25 to be "Revolution Day." The date was once the official "Day of the Police."
The military has planned its own public events, with a naval parade in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, air shows in Cairo, and fireworks displays around the country.
Security forces have indicated that they are on alert for "any attempts to sabotage" the celebrations, but said police have been ordered to keep a low profile.
Amnesty International has called on security forces to protect demonstrators and uphold the right to peaceful assembly.
In recent months, Tahrir Square has been the scene of deadly clashes between security forces and antimilitary protesters.
