1946 Uprising

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Most historians overlook that the events that took place in early 1946 represented a significant popular uprising against British occupation for complete independence.

University students and some high school students were the initial spark for this uprising, which marks its eightieth anniversary this year. However, some historians only mention the opening of Abbas Bridge during the crossing of the demonstrators, where some fell into the Nile on February 9. This uprising began with meetings held at Cairo University, which resulted in the formation of the preparatory committee for the National Students Committee that conducted elections to form a higher executive committee and subcommittees. On February 7, this committee issued a statement that included, 'The youth are driven by their patriotism to fulfill a sacred duty placed upon their shoulders as the educated youth of the nation who elected committees to discuss the rights and goals of the country, in a free discussion purely for the sake of God and the homeland, away from any political purpose or party current.' On the same day, the higher executive committee of the students called for public conferences on February 9, and demanded that the parties refrain from entering into negotiations with the English except on the basis of complete withdrawal, urging them to announce the plans they see fit to follow if Britain rejected this request. This call coincided with various demonstrations and strikes that created a growing popular momentum, culminating on February 9, when a massive conference was held inside the university where participants demanded the cancellation of the 1936 treaty and the 1899 agreements related to Sudan and the immediate withdrawal of the remaining British forces in Egypt. That day, the largest demonstration Egypt had seen since the 1919 Revolution emerged from the university, with participants keen on unity and order. The demonstration crossed University Street towards Abbas Bridge, and as it reached the middle of the bridge, it was surrounded from both sides, and the occupation's aides opened the bridge. The injuries that day were estimated at around one hundred students. The same day witnessed demonstrations in some other cities, with large crowds participating. Thus, what happened in February 1946 was not ordinary events but rather a significant popular uprising that deserves to be remembered in our national history.