List of Countries Independence Days

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Many countries worldwide commemorate the date when they gained independence after being part of another state or colony. The annual holiday is called independence day and each country celebrates the specific date it achieved its freedom.

Definition: Independence or National Days are perhaps the most important day for a country to commemorate as a national holiday.

For many nations the date is the country's day of independence, often in hard fought battles to claim their freedom.

Some national holidays commemorate a significant day in the history of the country, or the birth of a national hero who helped establish the day the country's independence was declared.

The following list signifies the month each country listed below celebrates Independence Day, National Day or other significant day.

 

Country

Date

Holiday

Afghanistan

August 19 (1919)

Independence Day

Albania

November 28 (1912)

Independence Day

Algeria

November 1 (1954)

Revolution Day

American Samoa

April 17 (1900)

Flag Day

Andorra

September 8 (1278)

Our Lady of Meritxell Day

Angola

November 11 (1975)

Independence Day

Antigua and Barbuda

November 1 (1981)

Independence Day (National Day)

Argentina

May 25 (1810)

Revolution Day

Armenia

September 21 (1991)

Independence Day

Aruba

March 18 (1976)

Flag Day

Australia

January 26 (1788)

Australia Day

Austria

October 26 (1955)

National Day2

Azerbaijan

May 28 (1918)

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan

Bahamas

July 10 (1973)

Independence Day

Bahrain

December 16 (1971)

National Day3

Bangladesh

March 26 (1971)

Independence Day4

Barbados

November 30 (1966)

Independence Day

Belarus

July 3 (1944)

Independence Day5

Belgium

July 21 (1831)

Ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Belize

September 21 (1981)

Independence Day

Benin

August 1 (1960)

National Day

Bermuda

May 24

Bermuda Day

Bhutan

December 17 (1907)

National Day6

Bolivia

August 6 (1825)

Independence Day

Bosnia and Herzegovina

November 25 (1943)

National Day

Botswana

September 30 (1966)

Independence Day (Botswana Day)

Brazil

September 7 (1822)

Independence Day

British Virgin Islands

July 1 (1956)

Territory Day

Brunei

February 23 (1984)

National Day7

Bulgaria

March 3 (1878)

Liberation Day

Burkina Faso

December 11 (1958)

Republic Day

Burundi

July 1 (1962)

Independence Day

Cambodia

November 9 (1953)

Independence Day

Cameroon

May 20 (1972)

Republic Day (National Day)

Canada

July 1 (1867)

Canada Day

Cape Verde

July 5 (1975)

Independence Day

Cayman Islands

First Monday in July

Constitution Day

Central African Republic

December 1 (1958)

Republic Day

Chad

August 11 (1960)

Independence Day

Chile

September 18 (1810)

Independence Day

China, People's Rep. of

October 1 (1949)

Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

Colombia

July 20 (1810)

Independence Day

Comoros

July 6 (1975)

Independence Day

Congo

August 15 (1960)

Independence Day

Congo, Dem. Rep. of

June 30 (1960)

Independence Day

Cook Islands

First Monday in August (1965)

Constitution Day

Costa Rica

September 15 (1821)

Independence Day

Côte d'Ivoire

August 7 (1960)

Independence Day

Croatia

October 8 (1991)

Independence Day8

Cuba

January 1 (1959)

Triumph of the Revolution

Cyprus

October 1 (1960)

Independence Day9

Czech Rep.

October 28 (1918)

Czech Founding Day

Denmark

June 5 (1849)

Constitution Day10

Djibouti

June 27 (1977)

Independence Day

Dominica

November 3 (1978)

Independence Day

Dominican Rep.

February 27 (1844)

Independence Day

East Timor

November 28 (1975)

Independence Day

Ecuador

August 10 (1809)

Independence Day (independence of Quito)

Egypt

July 23 (1952)

Revolution Day

El Salvador

September 15 (1821)

Independence Day

Equatorial Guinea

October 12 (1968)

Independence Day

Eritrea

May 24 (1993)

Independence Day

Estonia

February 24 (1918)

Independence Day11

Ethiopia

May 28 (1991)

National Day (defeat of Mengistu regime)

European Union

May 9 (1950)

Europe Day12

Fiji

2nd Monday of October (1970)

Independence Day

Finland

December 6 (1917)

Independence Day

France

July 14 (1790)

Fete de la Federation13

French Polynesia

July 14 (1789)

Bastille Day

Gabon

August 17 (1960)

Independence Day

Gambia, The

February 18 (1965)

Independence Day

Georgia

May 26 (1918)

Independence Day14

Germany

October 3 (1990)

Unity Day

Ghana

March 6 (1957)

Independence Day

Gibraltar

September 10 (1967)

National Day15

Greece

March 25 (1821)

Independence Day

Greenland

June 21

Longest day

Grenada

February 7 (1974)

Independence Day

Guam

1st Monday in March (1521)

Discovery Day

Guatemala

September 15 (1821)

Independence Day

Guernsey

May 9 (1945)

Liberation Day

Guinea

October 2 (1958)

Independence Day

Guinea-Bissau

September 24 (1973)

Independence Day

Guyana

February 23 (1970)

Republic Day

Haiti

January 1 (1804)

Independence Day

Holy See (Vatican City)

April 24 (2005)

Coronation Day of Pope Benedict XVI

Honduras

September 15 (1821)

Independence Day

Hong Kong

October 1 (1949)

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China)16

Hungary

August 20

Saint Stephen's Day

Iceland

June 17 (1944)

Independence Day

India

January 26 (1950)

Republic Day

Indonesia

August 17 (1945)

Independence Day

Iran

April 1 (1979)

Republic Day

Iraq

July 17 (1968)

Revolution Day17

Ireland

March 17

Saint Patrick's Day

Isle of Man

July 5

Tynwald Day

Israel

April or May 14 (1948)

Independence Day1

Italy

June 2 (1946)

Republic Day

Jamaica

August 6 (1962)

Independence Day

Japan

December 23 (1933)

Birthday of Emperor Akihito

Jersey

May 9 (1945)

Liberation Day

Jordan

May 25 (1946)

Independence Day

Kazakhstan

December 16 (1991)

Independence Day

Kenya

December 12 (1963)

Independence Day

Kiribati

July 12 (1979)

Independence Day

Korea (North)

September 9 (1948)

Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Korea (South)

August 15 (1945)

Liberation Day

Kuwait

February 25 (1950)

National Day

Kyrgyzstan

August 31 (1991)

Independence Day

Laos

December 2 (1975)

Republic Day

Latvia

November 18 (1918)

Independence Day18

Lebanon

November 22 (1943)

Independence Day

Lesotho

October 4 (1966)

Independence Day

Liberia

July 26 (1847)

Independence Day

Libya

September 1 (1969)

Revolution Day

Liechtenstein

August 15

Assumption Day

Lithuania

February 16 (1918)

Independence Day19

Luxembourg

June 23

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte)20

Macau

October 1 (1949)

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China)21

Macedonia

August 2 (1903)

Ilinden Uprising Day22

Madagascar

June 26 (1960)

Independence Day

Malawi

July 6 (1964)

Independence Day (Republic Day)

Malaysia

August 31 (1957)

Independence Day/Malaysia Day

Maldives

July 26 (1965)

Independence Day

Mali

September 22 (1960)

Independence Day

Malta

September 21 (1964)

Independence Day

Marshall Islands

May 1 (1979)

Constitution Day

Mauritania

November 28 (1960)

Independence Day

Mauritius

March 12 (1968)

Independence Day

Mayotte

July 14 (1789)

Bastille Day

Mexico

September 16 (1810)

Independence Day

Micronesia, Federated States of

May 10 (1979)

Constitution Day

Moldova

August 27 (1991)

Independence Day

Monaco

November 19 (1857)

National Day (Saint Rainier's Day)

Mongolia

July 11 (1921)

Independence Day/Revolution Day

Montenegro

July 13 (1878)

National Day

Morocco

July 30 (1999)

Throne Day (accession of King Mohamed VI to the throne)

Mozambique

June 25 (1975)

Independence Day

Namibia

March 21 (1990)

Independence Day

Nauru

January 31 (1968)

Independence Day

Netherlands

April 30 (1909 and 1980)

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother Juliana and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter Beatrix)

Netherlands Antilles

April 30 (1909 and 1980)

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother Juliana and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter Beatrix)

New Caledonia

July 14 (1789)

Bastille Day

New Zealand

February 6 (1840)

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Nicaragua

September 15 (1821)

Independence Day

Niger

December 18 (1958)

Republic Day

Nigeria

October 1 (1960)

Independence Day (National Day)

Niue

February 6 (1840)

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Norfolk Island

June 8 (1856)

Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders)

Northern Mariana Islands

January 8 (1978)

Commonwealth Day

Norway

May 17 (1814)

Constitution Day

Oman

November 18 (1940)

Birthday of Sultan Qaboos

Pakistan

March 23 (1956)

Republic Day

Palau

July 9 (1979)

Constitution Day

Panama

November 3 (1903)

Independence Day

Papua New Guinea

September 16 (1975)

Independence Day

Paraguay

May 14–15 (1811)

Independence Day

Peru

July 28 (1821)

Independence Day

Philippines

June 12 (1898)

Independence Day23

Poland

May 3 (1791)

Constitution Day

Portugal

June 10 (1580)

Portugal Day (Day of Portugal)24

Qatar

September 3 (1971)

Independence Day

Romania

December 1 (1918)

Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania)

Russia

June 12 (1990)

Russia Day

Rwanda

July 1 (1962)

Independence Day

St. Kitts and Nevis

September 19 (1983)

Independence Day

St. Lucia

February 22 (1979)

Independence Day

St. Martin

July 14 (1789)

Bastille Day25

St. Pierre and Miquelon

July 14 (1789)

Bastille Day

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

October 27 (1979)

Independence Day

Samoa

June 1 (1962)

Independence Day Celebration26

San Marino

September 3 (A.D. 301)

Founding of the Republic

São Tomé and Príncipe

July 12 (1975)

Independence Day

Saudi Arabia

September 23 (1932)

Unification of the Kingdom

Senegal

April 4 (1960)

Independence Day

Serbia

February 15

National Day

Seychelles

June 18 (1993)

Constitution Day (National Day)

Sierra Leone

April 27 (1961)

Independence Day

Singapore

August 9 (1965)

National Day

Slovakia

September 1 (1992)

Constitution Day

Slovenia

June 25 (1991)

Independence Day/Statehood Day

Solomon Islands

July 7 (1978)

Independence Day

Somalia

July 1 (1960)

Foundation of the Somali Republic27

South Africa

April 27 (1994)

Freedom Day

Spain

October 12 (1492)

National Day28

Sri Lanka

February 4 (1948)

Independence Day

Sudan

January 1 (1956)

Independence Day

Suriname

November 25 (1975)

Independence Day

Swaziland

September 6 (1968)

Independence Day

Sweden

June 6 (1916)

Swedish Flag Day, National Day (1983)

Switzerland

August 1 (1291)

Founding of the Swiss Confederation

Syria

April 17 (1946)

Independence Day

Taiwan

October 10 (1911)

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution)

Tajikistan

September 9 (1991)

Independence Day (or National Day)

Tanzania

April 26 (1964)

Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar)

Thailand

December 5 (1927)

Birthday of King Phumiphon (Bhumibol)

Togo

April 27 (1960)

Independence Day

Tokelau

February 6 (1840)

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Tonga

June 4 (1970)

Emancipation Day

Trinidad and Tobago

August 31 (1962)

Independence Day

Tunisia

March 20 (1956)

Independence Day29

Turkey

October 29 (1923)

Republic Day

Turkmenistan

October 27 (1991)

Independence Day

Turks and Caicos Islands

August 30 (1976)

Constitution Day

Tuvalu

October 1 (1978)

Independence Day

Uganda

October 9 (1962)

Independence Day

Ukraine

August 24 (1991)

Independence Day30

United Arab Emirates

December 2 (1971)

Independence Day

United States

July 4 (1776)

Independence Day

Uruguay

August 25 (1825)

Independence Day

Uzbekistan

September 1 (1991)

Independence Day

Vanuatu

July 30 (1980)

Independence Day

Venezuela

July 5 (1811)

Independence Day

Vietnam

September 2 (1945)

Independence Day

Virgin Islands

March 27 (1917)

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US)

Wallis and Futuna

July 14 (1789)

Bastille Day

Yemen

May 22 (1990)

Unification Day

Zambia

October 24 (1964)

Independence Day

Zimbabwe

April 18 (1980)

Independence Day

1. Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May

2. Commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality

3. August 15, 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, December 16, 1971, was the date of independence from British protection

4. March 26, 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, December 16, 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

5. July 3, 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, August 25, 1991 was the date of Independence from the Soviet Union

6. Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king

7. January 1, 1984 was the date of Independence from the UK, February 23, 1984 was the date of independence from British protection

8. June 25, 1991 was the day the Croatian Parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on October 8, 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia

9. Turkish Cypriots celebrate November 15, 1983 as Independence Day

10. Generally viewed as the National Day                     

11. February 24, 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; August 20, 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union

12. A Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community to achieve an organized Europe

13. Although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on July 14, 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)

14. May 26, 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, April 9, 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

15. Day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain

16. July 1, 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

17. This holiday was celebrated under the Saddam Husayn regime; the Government of Iraq has yet to declare a new national holiday

18. November 18, 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; May 4, 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; August 21, 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union

19. February 16, 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union

20. The actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year

21. December 20, 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

22. Also known as Saint Elijah's Day

23. June 12, 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; July 4, 1946 was date of independence from US

24. Also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died

25. Local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) July 12 (1848)

26. January 1, 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship; it is observed in June

27. June 26 (1960) in Somaliland

28. Year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas

29. Also the anniversary of Ben Ali's assumption of the presidency, November 7 (1987)

30. January 22, 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia) and the day the short-lived Western and Central Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day

Source: CIA World Factbook.

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