Holeta is best known as the location of the Holeta Military Academy. Opened in January 1935, and staffed by five Swedish officers, the first class of 120 cadets did not complete their studies due to the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. It was reopened once Emperor Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia, and celebrated its 25th anniversary 20–30 April 1960. After the murder of Hadush Araya on 14 February 1996, the academy was renamed for him. Hadush Araya was one of the military leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front.