An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end of a military occupation, or after a major change in government. Many countries commemorate their independence from a colonial empire.
Not all countries mark independence as a national holiday. Many, such as Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, New Zealand, Ireland, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey mark other dates of significance.
Tables
List of independence days of countries around the world· List
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Afghanistan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
19 August
Year of event
1919
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 or Treaty of Rawalpindi, an armistice between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan during the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
15 February
15 February
Country
Liberation Day
Name of holiday
15 February
Date of holiday
1989
Year of event
Soviet Union
Independence from
Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Albania
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 November
Year of event
1912
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Albanian Declaration of Independence. During the First Balkan War, risked by separation after war, Ismail Qemali, the first Albanian leader, declared independence in a speech only 5 minutes long. This became the Second November, after the First November, when Skanderbeg raised the Albanian flag in Krujë.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Algeria
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
5 July
Year of event
1962
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Algeria gained independence following the Algerian War and the Algerian independence referendum. France officially recognized independent Algeria on 3 July, but the Independence Day is celebrated on 5 July, the day of the fall of Algiers in 1830 and the beginning of French Algeria.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Angola
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
11 November
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
The Alvor Agreement, signed on 15 January 1975, granted Angola independence from Portugal on 11 November, ending the Angolan War of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Antigua and Barbuda
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 November
Year of event
1981
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
The effective date of the Antigua Termination of Association Order passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Argentina
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
9 July
Year of event
1816
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Argentine Declaration of Independence.
Republic Day (Hanrapetut’yan or)
Republic Day (Hanrapetut’yan or)
Country
Armenia
Name of holiday
Republic Day (Hanrapetut’yan or)
Date of holiday
28 May
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of Independence of Armenia (1918).
21 September
21 September
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
21 September
Date of holiday
1991
Year of event
Soviet Union
Independence from
1991 Armenian independence referendum.
Independence Day (Müstəqillik Günü)
Independence Day (Müstəqillik Günü)
Country
Azerbaijan
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Müstəqillik Günü)
Date of holiday
28 May
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of Independence of Azerbaijan.
18 October
18 October
Country
Day of Restoration of Independence
Name of holiday
18 October
Date of holiday
1991
Year of event
Soviet Union
Independence from
Adoption of the constitutional act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan".
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
The Bahamas
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
10 July
Year of event
1973
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of The Bahamas Independence Order 1973.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Bahrain
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
16 December
Year of event
1971
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Ascension of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the throne.
Independence and National Day (Sbādhīnôtā Ō Jātīẏô Dibôs)
Independence and National Day (Sbādhīnôtā Ō Jātīẏô Dibôs)
Country
Bangladesh
Name of holiday
Independence and National Day (Sbādhīnôtā Ō Jātīẏô Dibôs)
Date of holiday
26 March
Year of event
1971
Independence from
Pakistan
Event commemorated and notes
Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence.
16 December
16 December
Country
Victory Day
Name of holiday
16 December
Date of holiday
1971
Year of event
Victory over Pakistan Armed Forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Barbados
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
30 November
Year of event
1966
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Barbados Independence Act 1966. Also the anniversary of the formal proclamation of Barbados as a Republic in the Commonwealth in 2021.
Independence Day (Dzien Niezaliežnasci)
Independence Day (Dzien Niezaliežnasci)
Country
Belarus
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Dzien Niezaliežnasci)
Date of holiday
3 July
Year of event
1944
Independence from
Germany
Event commemorated and notes
The liberation of Minsk after several years of German occupation in 1944. Two other independence days – 25 March (proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic in 1918) and 27 July (independence from the Soviet Union in 1990) – are commemorated unofficially.
National Day
National Day
Country
Belgium
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
21 July
Year of event
1831
Independence from
Netherlands
Event commemorated and notes
Ascension of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld to the throne.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Belize
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
21 September
Year of event
1981
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective day of the Belize Act 1981.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Benin
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 August
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 11 July creating the independent Republic of Dahomey.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Bolivia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
6 August
Year of event
1825
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Bolivian Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 March
Year of event
1992
Independence from
Yugoslavia
Event commemorated and notes
1992 Bosnian independence referendum.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Botswana
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
30 September
Year of event
1966
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Botswana Independence Act 1966.
Independence Day (Dia da Independência)
Independence Day (Dia da Independência)
Country
Brazil
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Dia da Independência)
Date of holiday
7 September
Year of event
1822
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of independence by Pedro I of Brazil (see Independence of Brazil).
National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
Country
Brunei
Name of holiday
National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
Date of holiday
23 February
Year of event
1984
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Brunei gained full independence effective 1 January 1984 under the Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation of 7 January 1979 between United Kingdom and Brunei. However, the celebrations of the first National Day were delayed until 23 February and that day continues to be celebrated since.
Liberation Day
Liberation Day
Country
Bulgaria
Name of holiday
Liberation Day
Date of holiday
3 March
Year of event
1878
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Treaty of San Stefano which created the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria.
22 September
22 September
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
22 September
Date of holiday
1908
Year of event
Bulgarian Declaration of Independence.
Proclamation of Independence Day
Proclamation of Independence Day
Country
Burkina Faso
Name of holiday
Proclamation of Independence Day
Date of holiday
11 December
Year of event
1958
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date when French Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community.
5 August
5 August
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
5 August
Date of holiday
1960
Year of event
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 11 July and creation of the independent Republic of Upper Volta.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Burundi
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 July
Year of event
1962
Independence from
Belgium
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1746 terminating the Ruanda-Urundi Trusteeship.
Independence Day (Bony Ekreachychate)
Independence Day (Bony Ekreachychate)
Country
Cambodia
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Bony Ekreachychate)
Date of holiday
9 November
Year of event
1953
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Ceremony transferring military from French to Cambodian officials based on a military hand-over agreement reached on 17 October 1953.
National Day
National Day
Country
Cameroon
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
20 May
Year of event
1972
Independence from
United Kingdom France
Event commemorated and notes
Cameroon gained independence on 1 January 1960, but does not celebrate that date. Instead, it celebrates the National Day on 20 May commemorating the 1972 Cameroonian constitutional referendum.
Canada Day
Canada Day
Country
Canada
Name of holiday
Canada Day
Date of holiday
1 July
Year of event
1867
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Canada Day on 1 July commemorates the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Cape Verde
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
5 July
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Agreement Between Portugal and Partido Africano para a Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) signed on 18 December 1974.
National Day
National Day
Country
Central African Republic
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
1 December
Year of event
1958
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date when Central African Republic became an autonomous republic of the French Community.
13 August
13 August
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
13 August
Date of holiday
1960
Year of event
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 12 July.
Republic Day
Republic Day
Country
Chad
Name of holiday
Republic Day
Date of holiday
28 November
Year of event
1958
Independence from
Effective date when Chad became an autonomous republic in the French Community.
11 August
11 August
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
11 August
Date of holiday
1960
Year of event
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 12 July.
Independence Day (part of Fiestas Patrias)
Independence Day (part of Fiestas Patrias)
Country
Chile
Name of holiday
Independence Day (part of Fiestas Patrias)
Date of holiday
18 September
Year of event
1810
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Establishment of the Government Junta of Chile. The following day, 19 September, is celebrated as the Army Day. The two holidays collectively are known as Fiestas Patrias.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Colombia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
20 July
Year of event
1810
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Colombian Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Comoros
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
6 July
Year of event
1975
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Unilateral declaration of independence by the Chamber of Deputies of Comoros following the 1974 Comorian independence referendum.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
30 June
Year of event
1960
Independence from
Belgium
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Treaty of Friendship, Assistance and Co-operation between Belgium and the Congo concluded on 29 June 1960.
Republic Day
Republic Day
Country
Congo, Republic of the
Name of holiday
Republic Day
Date of holiday
28 November
Year of event
1958
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date when Congo became an autonomous republic in the French Community.
15 August
15 August
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
15 August
Date of holiday
1960
Year of event
Congo gains full independence from France.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Costa Rica
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
15 September
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Act of Independence of Central America.[citation needed]
National Day
National Day
Country
Croatia
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
30 May
Year of event
1990
Independence from
Yugoslavia
Event commemorated and notes
First session of the Croatian Parliament following the 1990 Croatian parliamentary election. 8 October (when the parliament adopted a decision to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia in 1991) and 25 June (when the parliament voted for independence in 1991) were also celebrated as independence days. After the 2019 changes to the law on public holidays, 8 October is the Parliament Day and 25 June is the Independence Day, but they are memorial days and not public holidays.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Cuba
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
10 October
Year of event
1868
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Call to rebellion (known as Grito de Yara) by sugar planter Carlos Manuel de Cespedes that led to the Ten Years' War for independence.
1898
1898
Country
10 December
Name of holiday
1898
Date of holiday
Spain cedes Cuba to the United States as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, which marked the end of the Spanish–American War.
1902
1902
Country
20 May
Name of holiday
1902
Date of holiday
United States
Year of event
Independence of Cuba from the United States. However, Cuba remained under direct U.S. influence until 1934 as a result of the Platt Amendment.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Cyprus
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 October
Year of event
1960
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the London-Zürich Agreements was 16 August 1960, but the public holiday was moved to 1 October to avoid summer heat and tourist season.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Czech Republic
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 October
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Austria-Hungary
Event commemorated and notes
Independence declaration by the Czechoslovak National Council. Official day of independence of the Czech Republic
1 January
1 January
Country
Restoration Day
Name of holiday
1 January
Date of holiday
1993
Year of event
Czechoslovakia
Independence from
Effective date of the Peaceful Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Djibouti
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
27 June
Year of event
1977
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Independence from France following a successful independence referendum held in May 1977.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Dominica
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
3 November
Year of event
1978
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Independence from the United Kingdom following the creation of the Dominican constitution.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Dominican Republic
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 December
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Independence from Spain in December 1821.
1844
1844
Country
27 February
Name of holiday
1844
Date of holiday
Haiti
Year of event
Independence re-declared from Haiti in 1844, after a 22-year occupation. Start of the Dominican War of Independence.
16 August
16 August
Country
Restoration Day
Name of holiday
16 August
Date of holiday
1863
Year of event
Spain
Independence from
Day of Grito del Capotillo on 16 August 1863. Independence officially restored from Spain on 11 July 1865, after victory in the Dominican Restoration War.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Ecuador
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
10 August
Year of event
1809
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Proclaimed independence on 10 August 1809, but failed with the execution of all the conspirators of the movement on 2 August 1810.
Revolution Day
Revolution Day
Country
Egypt
Name of holiday
Revolution Day
Date of holiday
23 July
Year of event
1952
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 abolished the Kingdom of Egypt, ended British influence in the country, and established an independent republic.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
El Salvador
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
15 September
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Act of Independence of Central America.[citation needed]
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Equatorial Guinea
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
12 October
Year of event
1968
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Independence from Spain following the country's only free and fair election to date in September 1968.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Eritrea
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
24 May
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Ethiopia
Event commemorated and notes
Eritrean War of Independence.
Independence Day (Iseseisvuspäev)
Independence Day (Iseseisvuspäev)
Country
Estonia
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Iseseisvuspäev)
Date of holiday
24 February
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Event commemorated and notes
Estonian Declaration of Independence.
20 August
20 August
Country
Day of Restoration of Independence
Name of holiday
20 August
Date of holiday
1991
Year of event
Soviet Union
Independence from
Estonian Restoration of Independence.
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day)
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day)
Country
Eswatini
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day)
Date of holiday
6 September
Year of event
1968
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Commemorates independence. Also called Somhlolo Day or Subhuza Day, after the 19th-century leader Sobhuza I.
Fiji Day
Fiji Day
Country
Fiji
Name of holiday
Fiji Day
Date of holiday
10 October
Year of event
1970
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Instruments of Independence
Independence Day (Itsenäisyyspäivä)
Independence Day (Itsenäisyyspäivä)
Country
Finland
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Itsenäisyyspäivä)
Date of holiday
6 December
Year of event
1917
Independence from
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Event commemorated and notes
Finnish Declaration of Independence
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Gabon
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
16–17 August
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 15 July.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
The Gambia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
18 February
Year of event
1965
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Gambia Independence Act 1964.
Independence Day (Damouk'ideblobis dghe)
Independence Day (Damouk'ideblobis dghe)
Country
Georgia
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Damouk'ideblobis dghe)
Date of holiday
26 May
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Event commemorated and notes
Day of the proclamation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918.
9 April
9 April
Country
National Unity Day
Name of holiday
9 April
Date of holiday
1991
Year of event
Soviet Union
Independence from
Commemoration of both the April 9 tragedy 1989 (also known as Tbilisi Massacre, Tbilisi tragedy) when on Rustaveli Avenue, in Tbilisi an anti-Soviet demonstration was dispersed by the Soviet Army, resulting in 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries, as well as the declaration of independence by Zviad Gamsakhurdia following an independence referendum in March 1991.
German Unity Day
German Unity Day
Country
Germany
Name of holiday
German Unity Day
Date of holiday
3 October
Year of event
1990
Independence from
West Germany East Germany
Event commemorated and notes
It commemorates German reunification in 1990 when the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) were unified.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Ghana
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
6 March
Year of event
1957
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
On Wednesday, 6 March 1957, when Kwame Nkrumah, the inaugural Prime Minister of Ghana, declared to the people of Ghana about their freedom, he added that, "the African People are capable of managing their own affairs and Ghana our beloved country is free forever." Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve its independence from European colonial rule.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Greece
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
25 March
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of independence 1821. Start of the Greek War of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Grenada
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
7 February
Year of event
1974
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Accession of Sir Eric Gairy as the inaugural Prime Minister of Grenada.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Guatemala
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
15 September
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Act of Independence of Central America.[citation needed]
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Guinea
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
2 October
Year of event
1958
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Withdrawal of French authority after the collapse of the Fourth Republic and establishment of the Fifth Republic that led to an overwhelming vote for independence in a referendum in September 1958.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Guinea-Bissau
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
24 September
Year of event
1973
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of independence in September 1973 during the country's war of liberation, although it wouldn't be formally recognized by Portugal until a year later on 10 September 1974.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Guyana
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
26 May
Year of event
1966
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
The Guyana Independence Act came into effect.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Haiti
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 January
Year of event
1804
Independence from
France Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Haitian Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Honduras
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
15 September
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Act of Independence of Central America.[citation needed]
National Day
National Day
Country
Iceland
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
17 June
Year of event
1944
Independence from
Denmark
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the dissolution of the Danish–Icelandic Act of Union following the 1944 Icelandic constitutional referendum.
Independence Day (Swatantrata Diwas)
Independence Day (Swatantrata Diwas)
Country
India
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Swatantrata Diwas)
Date of holiday
15 August
Year of event
1947
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Indian Independence Act 1947.
Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan)
Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan)
Country
Indonesia
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan)
Date of holiday
17 August
Year of event
1945
Independence from
Japan Netherlands
Event commemorated and notes
Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Iraq
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
3 October
Year of event
1932
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Iraq joined the League of Nations after gaining formal independence.
Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut)
Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut)
Country
Israel
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut)
Date of holiday
Iyar 5 (On or between 15 April and 15 May, depending on the Hebrew calendar).
Year of event
1948
Independence from
United Kingdom British Mandate for Palestine
Event commemorated and notes
Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708 in the Hebrew calendar). Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nearest to 5 Iyar, so it occurs between 3 and 6 Iyar each year; this means that the holiday can fall any time between and including 15 April and 15 May, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Anniversary of the Unification
Anniversary of the Unification
Country
Italy
Name of holiday
Anniversary of the Unification
Date of holiday
17 March
Year of event
1861
Independence from
Austrian Empire
Event commemorated and notes
The political and social movement that on 17 March 1861 ended in the annexation of various states of the Italian peninsula and its outlying isles to the Kingdom of Sardinia, resulting in the creation of the Kingdom of Italy.
It celebrates the birth of Italy as a modern nation state, which took place following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on 17 March 1861. However, the complete unification of Italy took place only in the following years.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Ivory Coast
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
7 August
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 11 July.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Jamaica
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
6 August
Year of event
1962
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Independence of Jamaica.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Jordan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
25 May
Year of event
1946
Independence from
United Kingdom Emirate of Transjordan Mandate for Palestine
Event commemorated and notes
Ascension of Abdullah I of Jordan to the throne.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Kazakhstan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
16 December
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
The Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan passed the Constitutional Independence Law of Republic of Kazakhstan, and was the last country to declare independence from the Soviet Union.
Madaraka Day
Madaraka Day
Country
Kenya
Name of holiday
Madaraka Day
Date of holiday
1 June
Year of event
1963
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Kenya attained internal self rule after being a British colony since 1920.
12 December
12 December
Country
Jamhuri Day
Name of holiday
12 December
Date of holiday
1963
Year of event
Jomo Kenyatta was inaugurated as the first President of Kenya.
National Day[citation needed]
National Day[citation needed]
Country
Kiribati
Name of holiday
National Day[citation needed]
Date of holiday
12 July
Year of event
1979
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Kiribati gained its independence from the United Kingdom, becoming a sovereign state in 1979.
National Liberation Day of Korea (Chogukhaebangŭi nal)
National Liberation Day of Korea (Chogukhaebangŭi nal)
Country
North Korea
Name of holiday
National Liberation Day of Korea (Chogukhaebangŭi nal)
Date of holiday
15 August
Year of event
1945
Independence from
Japan
Event commemorated and notes
Liberation from the Empire of Japan in 1945. See Japanese Occupation of Korea. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was founded in 1948.
March 1st Movement (Samiljeol)
March 1st Movement (Samiljeol)
Country
South Korea
Name of holiday
March 1st Movement (Samiljeol)
Date of holiday
1 March
Year of event
1919
Independence from
Korean Declaration of Independence in 1919. This day is celebrated as Samiljeol, or Independence Proclamation Day.
15 August
15 August
Country
National Liberation Day of Korea (Gwangbokjeol)
Name of holiday
15 August
Date of holiday
1945
Year of event
Liberation from the Empire of Japan in 1945. See Japanese Occupation of Korea. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was founded in 1919.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Kosovo
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
17 February
Year of event
2008
Independence from
Serbia
Event commemorated and notes
17 February is celebrated as Independence Day in Kosovo, commemorating the declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, marking a significant milestone in the nation's history.
National Day
National Day
Country
Kuwait
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
25 February
Year of event
1961
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Independence actually occurred on 19 June 1961, but celebrate on 25 February each year to honor Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim, who is credited with ending the treaties with Britain and instigating democratic life in Kuwait.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Kyrgyzstan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
31 August
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan adopted a law on the "Declaration on State Independence of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan".
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia (Proklamēšanas diena)
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia (Proklamēšanas diena)
Country
Latvia
Name of holiday
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia (Proklamēšanas diena)
Proclamation of independence on 18 November 1918. Latvia was part of Russian Empire prior to World War I, but its territory had been ceded to German Empire in March 1918.
4 May
4 May
Country
Day of Restoration of Independence
Name of holiday
4 May
Date of holiday
1990
Year of event
Soviet Union
Independence from
On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Lebanon
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
22 November
Year of event
1943
Independence from
Vichy France
Event commemorated and notes
Domestic and international pressure forced France to release the Lebanese prisoners from Rashaya Citadel.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Lesotho
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
4 October
Year of event
1966
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Name of the country changed from Basutoland to Lesotho.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Liberia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
26 July
Year of event
1847
Independence from
American Colonization Society
Event commemorated and notes
Liberian Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Libya
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
24 December
Year of event
1951
Independence from
United Kingdom Italy France
Event commemorated and notes
Independence from Italy on 10 February 1947, released from British and French on 24 December 1951.
National Day
National Day
Country
Liechtenstein
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
15 August
Year of event
1866
Independence from
German Confederation
Event commemorated and notes
Separation of the country from the German Confederation following the Austro-Prussian War.
Statehood Restoration Day (Valstybės atkūrimo diena)
Statehood Restoration Day (Valstybės atkūrimo diena)
Country
Lithuania
Name of holiday
Statehood Restoration Day (Valstybės atkūrimo diena)
Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Madagascar
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
26 June
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Separation of the autonomous Malagasy Republic from the French Community.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Malawi
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
6 July
Year of event
1964
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Name of the country changed from Nyasaland to Malawi.
Independence Day/National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
Independence Day/National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
Country
Malaysia
Name of holiday
Independence Day/National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
Date of holiday
31 August
Year of event
1957
Independence from
Malayan Declaration of Independence.
16 September
16 September
Country
Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia)
Name of holiday
16 September
Date of holiday
1965
Year of event
Proclamation of Malaysia
National Day
National Day
Country
Maldives
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
1st of Rabi' al-Awwal, 3rd month of Islamic calendar
Year of event
1573
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
Termination of Portuguese rule in the archipelago following the uprising of Mohamed Thakurufaanu in 1573.
26 July
26 July
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
26 July
Date of holiday
1965
Year of event
United Kingdom
Independence from
Independence agreement formalized in Ceylon, signed by Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir and High Commissioner Sir Michael Walker.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Mali
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
22 September
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Dissolution of the Mali Federation following secession of Senegal led to the independence of the Sudanese Republic as the Republic of Mali.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Malta
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
21 September
Year of event
1964
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Malta Independence Act.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day
Country
Marshall Islands
Name of holiday
Constitution Day
Date of holiday
1 May
Year of event
1979
Independence from
United States
Event commemorated and notes
Constitution of the Marshall Islands enacted in force.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Mauritania
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 November
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 19 October.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Mauritius
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
12 March
Year of event
1968
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Constitution of Mauritius enacted in force.
Independence Day (Día de la Independéncia)Cry of Dolores (Grito de Dolores)
Independence Day (Día de la Independéncia)Cry of Dolores (Grito de Dolores)
Country
Mexico
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Día de la Independéncia)Cry of Dolores (Grito de Dolores)
Date of holiday
16 September
Year of event
1810
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Start of the Mexican War of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Micronesia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
3 November
Year of event
1986
Independence from
United States
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Compact of Free Association.
Independence Day (Ziua Independenței)
Independence Day (Ziua Independenței)
Country
Moldova
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Ziua Independenței)
Date of holiday
27 August
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
Moldovan Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Montenegro
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
21 May
Year of event
2006
Independence from
Serbia and Montenegro
Event commemorated and notes
2006 Montenegrin independence referendum.
Proclamation of Independence Day
Proclamation of Independence Day
Country
Morocco
Name of holiday
Proclamation of Independence Day
Date of holiday
11 January
Year of event
1944
Independence from
France Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Proclamation of Independence.
18 November
18 November
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
18 November
Date of holiday
1955
Year of event
Return of Mohammed V of Morocco from exile.
Independence Day(Dia da Independência Nacional)
Independence Day(Dia da Independência Nacional)
Country
Mozambique
Name of holiday
Independence Day(Dia da Independência Nacional)
Date of holiday
25 June
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
In September 1964 the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) began an armed guerilla campaign against the Portuguese. FRELIMO took control of Maputo in April 1974 in a coup. Independence for Mozambique was officially declared a year later on 25 June 1975.
Independence Day (Lwatlautrayynae)
Independence Day (Lwatlautrayynae)
Country
Myanmar
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Lwatlautrayynae)
Date of holiday
4 January
Year of event
1948
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Burmese Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Namibia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
21 March
Year of event
1990
Independence from
South Africa
Event commemorated and notes
The New York Accords signed in December 1988 guaranteed Namibian independence two years later.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Nauru
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
31 January
Year of event
1968
Independence from
Australia New Zealand United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Nauru Independence Act 1967. Also marks the date of the return of the Nauruans from Truk island after the Japanese occupation of Nauru during World War II.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Nicaragua
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
15 September
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Act of Independence of Central America.[citation needed]
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Niger
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
3 August
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 11 July.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Nigeria
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 October
Year of event
1960
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Nigeria Independence Act 1960.
Republic Day
Republic Day
Country
North Macedonia
Name of holiday
Republic Day
Date of holiday
2 August
Year of event
1903
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Republic Day: Recognition of the establishment of the short-lived Kruševo Republic during the Ilinden Uprising.
8 September
8 September
Country
Independence Day (Den na nezavisnosta)
Name of holiday
8 September
Date of holiday
1991
Year of event
Yugoslavia
Independence from
1991 Macedonian independence referendum.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day
Country
Norway
Name of holiday
Constitution Day
Date of holiday
17 May
Year of event
1814
Independence from
Denmark
Event commemorated and notes
National Day: Independence and the Constitution of Norway (17 May 1814).
7 June
7 June
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
7 June
Date of holiday
1905
Year of event
Sweden
Independence from
Union Dissolution and Independence Day (7 June 1905).
Independence Day (Youm-e-Azadi)
Independence Day (Youm-e-Azadi)
Country
Pakistan
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Youm-e-Azadi)
Date of holiday
14 August
Year of event
1947
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Indian Independence Act 1947; see also: Pakistan Day (23 March).
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Palau
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 October
Year of event
1994
Independence from
United States
Event commemorated and notes
9 July 1980 is Palau's Constitution Day usually commemorated with formal events. Independence Day celebrations are more elaborate and last several days.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Palestine
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 October
Year of event
1948
Independence from
Israel
Event commemorated and notes
1948 Palestinian Declaration of Independence on 1 October 1948.
1988
1988
Country
15 November
Name of holiday
1988
Date of holiday
Palestinian Declaration of Independence on 15 November 1988.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Panama
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 November
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Independence Act of Panama
3 November
3 November
Country
Separation Day
Name of holiday
3 November
Date of holiday
1903
Year of event
Colombia
Independence from
Panama was member of Gran Colombia until 1903. The 1903 separation from Colombia is celebrated as an official holiday day on 3 November.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Papua New Guinea
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
16 September
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Australia
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Papua New Guinea Independence Act 1975
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Paraguay
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
14 and 15 May
Year of event
1811
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Revolution of May 14.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Peru
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 July
Year of event
1821
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Peruvian independence proclaimed by General José de San Martín.
Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan or Araw ng Kasarinlan)
Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan or Araw ng Kasarinlan)
Country
Philippines
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan or Araw ng Kasarinlan)
Date of holiday
12 June
Year of event
1898
Independence from
Philippine Declaration of Independence by Emilio Aguinaldo during the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The Philippines achieved self-rule from the United States on 4 July 1946, and celebrated 4 July as Independence Day until 1964.
4 July
4 July
Country
Republic Day
Name of holiday
4 July
Date of holiday
1946
Year of event
United States
Independence from
Treaty of Manila.
Independence Day (Święto Niepodległości)
Independence Day (Święto Niepodległości)
Country
Poland
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Święto Niepodległości)
Date of holiday
11 November
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Russia Austria-Hungary Germany
Event commemorated and notes
Restoration of Poland's independence in 1918 after 123 years of partitions by Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
Restoration of Independence
Restoration of Independence
Country
Portugal
Name of holiday
Restoration of Independence
Date of holiday
1 December
Year of event
1640
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Portugal was officially an autonomous state, but the country was in a personal union with the Spanish crown from 1580 to 1640 – date of the restoration of full Portuguese autonomy from Iberian Union with Spain.
National Day
National Day
Country
Qatar
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
18 December
Year of event
1878
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
On 18 December 1878, Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father, Mohammed bin Thani as ruler of the Qatari Peninsula. He was deemed to have unified all the local tribes by combating external forces, such as the British. He also earned a considerable degree of autonomy for the tribes of the peninsula.
National Independence Day(Ziua Independenței Naționale)
National Independence Day(Ziua Independenței Naționale)
Country
Romania
Name of holiday
National Independence Day(Ziua Independenței Naționale)
Date of holiday
10 May
Year of event
1876
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Romania's declaration of its independence and subsequent victory in the Romanian War of Independence, part of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, against the Ottoman Empire.
1 December
1 December
Country
Great Union Day(Ziua Unirii Mare)
Name of holiday
1 December
Date of holiday
1918
Year of event
Kingdom of Romania Austrian Bukovina Hungarian Transylvania Russian Bessarabia
Independence from
Unification of Romania on 1 December 1918
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Rwanda
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 July
Year of event
1962
Independence from
Belgium
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1746 terminating the Rwanda-Urundi Trusteeship.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
19 September
Year of event
1983
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Association with the United Kingdom fully terminated.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Saint Lucia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
22 February
Year of event
1979
Independence from
Association with the United Kingdom fully terminated.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
27 October
Year of event
1979
Independence from
Association with the United Kingdom fully terminated.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Samoa
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 June
Year of event
1962
Independence from
New Zealand
Event commemorated and notes
Named Western Samoa until 1997, it was the first Polynesian nation to be recognized as a sovereign state in the 20th century.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
São Tomé and Príncipe
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
12 July
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the agreement with Portugal reached on 26 November 1974.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Senegal
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
4 April
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Transfer of power agreement signed between the Mali Federation and France.
Statehood Day
Statehood Day
Country
Serbia
Name of holiday
Statehood Day
Date of holiday
15 February
Year of event
1804 and 1835
Independence from
Ottoman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Outbreak of the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, which evolved into a Serbian Revolution; the adoption of the first modern constitution in 1835.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Seychelles
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
29 June
Year of event
1976
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Sir James R. Mancham became the country's first President, with France-Albert René as Prime Minister.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Sierra Leone
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
27 April
Year of event
1961
Independence from
On 20 April 1960, Milton Margai led a 24-member Sierra Leonean delegation at constitutional conferences that were held with the Government of Queen Elizabeth II and British Colonial Secretary Iain Macleod in negotiations for independence held in London. On the conclusion of talks in London on 4 May 1960, the United Kingdom agreed to grant Sierra Leone independence on 27 April 1961.
National Day (Hari Kebangsaan)
National Day (Hari Kebangsaan)
Country
Singapore
Name of holiday
National Day (Hari Kebangsaan)
Date of holiday
9 August
Year of event
1965
Independence from
Malaysia
Event commemorated and notes
Proclamation of Singapore.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Slovakia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 October
Year of event
1918
Independence from
Austria-Hungary
Event commemorated and notes
Independence declaration by the Czechoslovak National Council.
17 July
17 July
Country
Independence Day
Name of holiday
17 July
Date of holiday
1992
Year of event
Czechoslovakia
Independence from
Declaration of Independence in 1992 (only a remembrance day), de jure independence came on 1 January 1993, after the division of Czechoslovakia (public holiday).
1 January
1 January
Country
Restoration Day
Name of holiday
1 January
Date of holiday
1993
Year of event
Czechoslovakia
Independence from
Effective date of the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Statehood Day
Statehood Day
Country
Slovenia
Name of holiday
Statehood Day
Date of holiday
25 June
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Yugoslavia
Event commemorated and notes
Date of Slovenia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
26 December
26 December
Country
Independence and Unity Day
Name of holiday
26 December
Date of holiday
1990
Year of event
Yugoslavia
Independence from
Date of the release of the official results of the independence plebiscite in 1990, confirming secession from Yugoslavia.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Solomon Islands
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
7 July
Year of event
1978
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Solomon Islands Act 1978.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Somalia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
26 June
Year of event
1960
Independence from
United Kingdom Italy
Event commemorated and notes
British Somaliland gained independence from the United Kingdom, although Italian Somaliland wouldn't do so from Italy until five days later.
1 July
1 July
Country
Republic Day
Name of holiday
1 July
Date of holiday
1960
Year of event
The former Italian and British Somalilands unified as the Somali Republic on 1 July 1960.
Independence Day (Jātika Dinaya)
Independence Day (Jātika Dinaya)
Country
Sri Lanka
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Jātika Dinaya)
Date of holiday
4 February
Year of event
1948
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Celebrates to commemorate the country's political independence from British rule in 1948. Event celebrated annually.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Sudan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 January
Year of event
1956
Independence from
United Kingdom Egypt
Event commemorated and notes
A polling process was carried out resulting in the composition of a democratic parliament and Ismail al-Azhari was elected first Prime Minister and led the first modern Sudanese government. On 1 January 1956, in a special ceremony held at the People's Palace, the Egyptian and British flags were lowered and the new Sudanese flag, composed of green, blue and yellow stripes, was raised in their place by the prime minister Ismail al-Azhari.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
South Sudan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
9 July
Year of event
2011
Independence from
Sudan
Event commemorated and notes
The 2011 South Sudanese independence referendum resulted in an overwhelming 98.3% vote in favor of independence, with well over 60% turnout. The predetermined date for the creation of an independent state was 9 July 2011.
Independence Day (Srefidensi)
Independence Day (Srefidensi)
Country
Suriname
Name of holiday
Independence Day (Srefidensi)
Date of holiday
25 November
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Netherlands
Event commemorated and notes
Under the left-wing pro-independence Den Uyl cabinet Suriname gained independence, albeit with substantial Dutch foreign aid.
National Day
National Day
Country
Switzerland
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
1 August
Year of event
1291
Independence from
Holy Roman Empire
Event commemorated and notes
Alliance against the Holy Roman Empire in 1291.
National Day
National Day
Country
Sweden
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
6 June
Year of event
1523
Independence from
Kalmar Union
Event commemorated and notes
Celebrates the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 and the new constitutions in 1809 and 1974. The election of King Gustav Vasa was the de facto end of the Kalmar Union.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Syria
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
17 April
Year of event
1946
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
End of the French Mandate of Syria in 1946.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Tajikistan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
9 September
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
On 9 September 1991, at the session Supreme Soviet, a Resolution and Declaration "On State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan" was adopted, being formally signed by acting president Qadriddin Aslonov.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Tanzania
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
9 December
Year of event
1961
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Independence as Tanganyika.
Proclamation of Independence Day
Proclamation of Independence Day
Country
Timor-Leste
Name of holiday
Proclamation of Independence Day
Date of holiday
28 November
Year of event
1975
Independence from
Portugal
Event commemorated and notes
East Timor Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the Portuguese rule in 1975.
20 May
20 May
Country
Independence Restoration Day
Name of holiday
20 May
Date of holiday
2002
Year of event
Indonesia
Independence from
Timorese independence from Indonesian and United Nations administration in 2002.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Togo
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
27 April
Year of event
1960
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
On 13 October 1958 the French government announced that full independence would be granted. On 14 November 1958 the United Nations’ General Assembly took note of the French government's declaration according to which Togo which was under French administration would gain independence in 1960, thus marking an end to the trusteeship period. On 5 December 1959 the United Nations’ General Assembly resolved that the UN Trusteeship Agreement with France for Cameroon would end when Togo became independent on 27 April 1960.
13 January
13 January
Country
Liberation Day
Name of holiday
13 January
Date of holiday
1963
Year of event
A military coup on 13 January 1963 led to the assassination of President Sylvanus Olympio by a group of soldiers under the direction of Sergeant Gnassingbé Eyadéma.
Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day
Country
Tonga
Name of holiday
Emancipation Day
Date of holiday
4 June
Year of event
1970
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Termination of protectorate status in 1970.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Trinidad and Tobago
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
31 August
Year of event
1962
Independence from
Effective date of the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Tunisia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
20 March
Year of event
1956
Independence from
France
Event commemorated and notes
Termination of the Treaty of Bardo and signing of the Franco-Tunisian protocol led to the relinquishment of French authority over the country.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Turkmenistan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
27 September
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
Saparmurat Niyazov was elected as the inaugural President of Turkmenistan.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Tuvalu
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 October
Year of event
1978
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Toaripi Lauti became the inaugural Tuvaluan prime minister.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Uganda
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
9 October
Year of event
1962
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Initially a Commonwealth realm, the country would become a republic one year later.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Ukraine
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
24 August
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of Independence of Ukraine
22 January
22 January
Country
Day of Unity (Den Sobornosti)
Name of holiday
22 January
Date of holiday
1919
Year of event
Russian SFSR Austria-Hungary
Independence from
Unification of Ukraine on 22 January 1919.
National Day
National Day
Country
United Arab Emirates
Name of holiday
National Day
Date of holiday
2 December
Year of event
1971
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Merger of six emirates in the Persian Gulf (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain) into a federal union.
Independence Day or Fourth of July
Independence Day or Fourth of July
Country
United States
Name of holiday
Independence Day or Fourth of July
Date of holiday
4 July
Year of event
1776
Independence from
Kingdom of Great Britain
Event commemorated and notes
United States Declaration of Independence
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Uruguay
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
25 August
Year of event
1825
Independence from
Empire of Brazil
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of independence and union with the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Uzbekistan
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
1 September
Year of event
1991
Independence from
Soviet Union
Event commemorated and notes
Independence was declared in the same month as the failed coup attempt in Moscow.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Vanuatu
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
30 July
Year of event
1980
Independence from
United Kingdom France
Event commemorated and notes
Name of the country changed from the New Hebrides to Vanuatu.
Lateran Treaty Day
Lateran Treaty Day
Country
Vatican City
Name of holiday
Lateran Treaty Day
Date of holiday
11 February
Year of event
1929
Independence from
Italy
Event commemorated and notes
Lateran Treaty establishing Vatican City as an independent state
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Venezuela
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
5 July
Year of event
1811
Independence from
Spain
Event commemorated and notes
Venezuelan Declaration of Independence.
National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh)
National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh)
Country
Vietnam
Name of holiday
National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh)
Date of holiday
2 September
Year of event
1945
Independence from
Japan France
Event commemorated and notes
Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Yemen
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
30 November
Year of event
1967
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Declaration of Independence of the South Yemen
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Zambia
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
24 October
Year of event
1964
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Effective date of the Zambia Independence Act 1964.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Country
Zimbabwe
Name of holiday
Independence Day
Date of holiday
18 April
Year of event
1980
Independence from
United Kingdom
Event commemorated and notes
Granting of independence by the United Kingdom in 1980
Ranked list
Country
Name of holiday
Date of holiday
Year of event
Independence from
Event commemorated and notes
Afghanistan
Independence Day
19 August
1919
United Kingdom
Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 or Treaty of Rawalpindi, an armistice between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan during the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
Liberation Day
15 February
1989
Soviet Union
Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Albania
Independence Day
28 November
1912
Ottoman Empire
Albanian Declaration of Independence. During the First Balkan War, risked by separation after war, Ismail Qemali, the first Albanian leader, declared independence in a speech only 5 minutes long. This became the Second November, after the First November, when Skanderbeg raised the Albanian flag in Krujë.
Algeria
Independence Day
5 July
1962
France
Algeria gained independence following the Algerian War and the Algerian independence referendum. France officially recognized independent Algeria on 3 July, but the Independence Day is celebrated on 5 July, the day of the fall of Algiers in 1830 and the beginning of French Algeria.
Angola
Independence Day
11 November
1975
Portugal
The Alvor Agreement, signed on 15 January 1975, granted Angola independence from Portugal on 11 November, ending the Angolan War of Independence.
Antigua and Barbuda
Independence Day
1 November
1981
United Kingdom
The effective date of the Antigua Termination of Association Order passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July.
Argentina
Independence Day
9 July
1816
Spain
Argentine Declaration of Independence.
Armenia
Republic Day (Hanrapetut’yan or)
28 May
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Declaration of Independence of Armenia (1918).
Independence Day
21 September
1991
Soviet Union
1991 Armenian independence referendum.
Azerbaijan
Independence Day (Müstəqillik Günü)
28 May
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Declaration of Independence of Azerbaijan.
Day of Restoration of Independence
18 October
1991
Soviet Union
Adoption of the constitutional act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan".
The Bahamas
Independence Day
10 July
1973
United Kingdom
Effective date of The Bahamas Independence Order 1973.
Bahrain
Independence Day
16 December
1971
United Kingdom
Ascension of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the throne.
Bangladesh
Independence and National Day (Sbādhīnôtā Ō Jātīẏô Dibôs)
26 March
1971
Pakistan
Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence.
Victory Day
16 December
1971
Victory over Pakistan Armed Forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Barbados
Independence Day
30 November
1966
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Barbados Independence Act 1966. Also the anniversary of the formal proclamation of Barbados as a Republic in the Commonwealth in 2021.
Belarus
Independence Day (Dzien Niezaliežnasci)
3 July
1944
Germany
The liberation of Minsk after several years of German occupation in 1944. Two other independence days – 25 March (proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic in 1918) and 27 July (independence from the Soviet Union in 1990) – are commemorated unofficially.
Belgium
National Day
21 July
1831
Netherlands
Ascension of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld to the throne.
Belize
Independence Day
21 September
1981
United Kingdom
Effective day of the Belize Act 1981.
Benin
Independence Day
1 August
1960
France
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 11 July creating the independent Republic of Dahomey.
Bolivia
Independence Day
6 August
1825
Spain
Bolivian Declaration of Independence.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Independence Day
1 March
1992
Yugoslavia
1992 Bosnian independence referendum.
Botswana
Independence Day
30 September
1966
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Botswana Independence Act 1966.
Brazil
Independence Day (Dia da Independência)
7 September
1822
Portugal
Declaration of independence by Pedro I of Brazil (see Independence of Brazil).
Brunei
National Day (Hari Kemerdekaan or Hari Kebangsaan)
23 February
1984
United Kingdom
Brunei gained full independence effective 1 January 1984 under the Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation of 7 January 1979 between United Kingdom and Brunei. However, the celebrations of the first National Day were delayed until 23 February and that day continues to be celebrated since.
Bulgaria
Liberation Day
3 March
1878
Ottoman Empire
Treaty of San Stefano which created the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria.
Independence Day
22 September
1908
Bulgarian Declaration of Independence.
Burkina Faso
Proclamation of Independence Day
11 December
1958
France
Effective date when French Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community.
Independence Day
5 August
1960
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 11 July and creation of the independent Republic of Upper Volta.
Burundi
Independence Day
1 July
1962
Belgium
Effective date of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1746 terminating the Ruanda-Urundi Trusteeship.
Cambodia
Independence Day (Bony Ekreachychate)
9 November
1953
France
Ceremony transferring military from French to Cambodian officials based on a military hand-over agreement reached on 17 October 1953.
Cameroon
National Day
20 May
1972
United Kingdom France
Cameroon gained independence on 1 January 1960, but does not celebrate that date. Instead, it celebrates the National Day on 20 May commemorating the 1972 Cameroonian constitutional referendum.
Canada
Canada Day
1 July
1867
United Kingdom
Canada Day on 1 July commemorates the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.
Cape Verde
Independence Day
5 July
1975
Portugal
Effective date of the Agreement Between Portugal and Partido Africano para a Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) signed on 18 December 1974.
Central African Republic
National Day
1 December
1958
France
Effective date when Central African Republic became an autonomous republic of the French Community.
Independence Day
13 August
1960
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 12 July.
Chad
Republic Day
28 November
1958
Effective date when Chad became an autonomous republic in the French Community.
Independence Day
11 August
1960
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on 12 July.
Chile
Independence Day (part of Fiestas Patrias)
18 September
1810
Spain
Establishment of the Government Junta of Chile. The following day, 19 September, is celebrated as the Army Day. The two holidays collectively are known as Fiestas Patrias.
Colombia
Independence Day
20 July
1810
Spain
Colombian Declaration of Independence.
Comoros
Independence Day
6 July
1975
France
Unilateral declaration of independence by the Chamber of Deputies of Comoros following the 1974 Comorian independence referendum.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Independence Day
30 June
1960
Belgium
Effective date of the Treaty of Friendship, Assistance and Co-operation between Belgium and the Congo concluded on 29 June 1960.
Congo, Republic of the
Republic Day
28 November
1958
France
Effective date when Congo became an autonomous republic in the French Community.
Independence Day
15 August
1960
Congo gains full independence from France.
Costa Rica
Independence Day
15 September
1821
Spain
Act of Independence of Central America.[citation needed]
Croatia
National Day
30 May
1990
Yugoslavia
First session of the Croatian Parliament following the 1990 Croatian parliamentary election. 8 October (when the parliament adopted a decision to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia in 1991) and 25 June (when the parliament voted for independence in 1991) were also celebrated as independence days. After the 2019 changes to the law on public holidays, 8 October is the Parliament Day and 25 June is the Independence Day, but they are memorial days and not public holidays.
Cuba
Independence Day
10 October
1868
Spain
Call to rebellion (known as Grito de Yara) by sugar planter Carlos Manuel de Cespedes that led to the Ten Years' War for independence.
10 December
1898
Spain cedes Cuba to the United States as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1898, which marked the end of the Spanish–American War.
20 May
1902
United States
Independence of Cuba from the United States. However, Cuba remained under direct U.S. influence until 1934 as a result of the Platt Amendment.
