The Maribor Uprising, also known as the April Uprising, was a significant event in Maribor’s history and marked the beginning of active resistance against Axis occupation during World War II in Slovenia.

After the Axis Powers invaded Yugoslavia in April 1941, Slovenia was partitioned amongst Germany, Italy, and Hungary. Maribor and Lower Styria were annexed by Nazi Germany, marking the beginning of a brutal period of German occupation. The Germans pursued a policy of Germanization, including forced resettlement of the Slovene population, confiscation of property, cultural repression, and severe political repression.

On 27th April 1941, within weeks of the German annexation, the people of Maribor rose up against the occupiers. This uprising, which involved a significant portion of the city’s population, was a response to the forced resettlement of thousands of Maribor’s residents, as well as broader resentment against the Nazi regime.

The rebellion was quickly suppressed by the German forces, leading to brutal reprisals. However, it marked the first organized resistance to Nazi occupation in Slovenia and the beginning of the Slovene National Liberation Struggle, which lasted until the end of World War II.

The date of the Maribor Uprising, 27th April, is now commemorated as Resistance Day, a national holiday in Slovenia. This day is dedicated to remembering the resistance fighters and the sacrifices made during World War II.

The Maribor Uprising thus holds a significant place in Maribor’s, and Slovenia’s, history. It symbolizes the courage and determination of the Slovene people in the face of brutal occupation and is a source of national pride and remembrance.