Date of independence
Country
Name of holiday
Date of holiday
Year of event
Independence from
Event commemorated and notes
A
Afghan Independence Day (Afghan Victory Day)
August 19
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
Flag Day (Dita e Flamurit)
November 28
1912
Ottoman Empire
Albanian Declaration of Independence. The following day, November 29, is celebrated as the Liberation Day and commemorates the end of the German occupation in 1944.
Independence Day
July 5
1962
France
Algeria gained independence following the Algerian War and the Algerian independence referendum. France officially recognized independent Algeria on July 3, but the Independence Day is celebrated on July 5, the day of the fall of Algiers in 1830 and the beginning of French Algeria.
None
Independence Day
November 11
1975
Portugal
The Alvor Agreement, signed on 15 January 1975, granted Angola independence from Portugal on 11 November, ending the Angolan War of Independence.
Independence Day
November 1
1981
United Kingdom
The effective date of the Antigua Termination of Association Order passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July
Republic Day
May 28
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Declaration of Independence of Armenia (1918)
None
Australia Day (January 26) commemorates arrival of the First Fleet of British ships and is not an independence day.
National Day
October 26
1955
Allied occupying powers (France, United Kingdom, United States, and Soviet Union)
Declaration of Neutrality
Republic Day
May 28
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Declaration of Independence (Azerbaijan)
Independence Day
October 18
1991
Soviet Union
Adoption of the constitutional act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan"
B
Independence Day
July 10
1973
United Kingdom
Effective date of The Bahamas Independence Order 1973
Independence Day
December 16
1971
United Kingdom
Ascension of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the throne
Independence Day
November 30
1966
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Barbados Independence Act 1966
Independence Day
July 3
1944
Nazi Germany
The liberation of Minsk after several years of German occupation in 1944. Two other independence days - March 25 (proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic in 1918) and July 27 (independence from the Soviet Union in 1990) - are commemorated unofficially.
National Day
July 21
1831
United Netherlands
Ascension of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld to the throne
Independence Day
August 1
1960
France
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on July 11 creating the independent Republic of Dahomey
None
Independence Day
March 1
1992
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
1992 Bosnian independence referendum
Independence Day
September 30
1966
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Botswana Independence Act 1966
Independence Day (Dia da Independéncia)
September 7
1822
United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves
Declaration of independence by Pedro I of Brazil
National Day
February 23
1984
United Kingdom
Brunei gained full independence effective January 1, 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 February 23 and that day continues to be celebrated since.
Liberation Day
March 3
1878
Ottoman Empire
Treaty of San Stefano which created the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria
Proclamation of Independence Day
December 11
1958
France
Effective date when French Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
Independence Day
August 5
1960
France
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on July 11 and creation of the independent Republic of Upper Volta
Independence Day
July 1
1962
Belgium
Effective date of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1746 terminating the Ruanda-Urundi Trusteeship
C
Independence Day
November 9
1953
France
Ceremony transferring military from French to Cambodian officials based on a military hand-over agreement reached on October 17, 1953
None
Cameroon gained independence on January 1, 1960, but does not celebrate that date. Instead, it celebrates the National Day on May 20 commemorating the 1972 Cameroonian constitutional referendum.
Independence Day
July 5
1975
Portugal
Effective date of the Agreement Between Portugal and Partido Africano para a Independéncia da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) signed on December 18, 1974
National Day
December 1
1958
France
Effective date when Central African Republic became an autonomous republic of the French Community
Republic Day
November 28
1958
France
Effective date when Chad became an autonomous republic in the French Community
Independence Day (part of Fiestas Patrias)
September 18
1810
Spanish Empire
Establishment of the Government Junta of Chile. The following day, September 19, is celebrated as the Army Day. The two holidays collectively are known as Fiestas Patrias.
None
National Day commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
Independence Day
July 6
1975
France
Unilateral declaration of independence by the Chamber of Deputies of Comoros following the 1974 Comorian independence referendum
Republic Day
November 28
1958
France
Effective date when Congo became an autonomous republic in the French Community
Statehood Day
May 30
1990
SFR Yugoslavia
First session of the Croatian Parliament following the 1990 Croatian parliamentary election. October 8 (when the parliament adopted a decision to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia in 1991) and June 25 (when the parliament voted for independence in 1991) were also celebrated as independence days. After the 2019 changes to the law on public holidays, October 8 is the Parliament Day and June 25 is the Independence Day, but they are memorial days and not public holidays.
Commencement of the Wars of Independence
October 10
1868
Spanish Empire
Call to rebellion (known as Grito de Yara) by sugar planter Carlos Manuel de Cespedes that led to the Ten Years' War for independence
Independence Day
October 1
1960
United Kingdom
Effective date of the London-Zürich Agreements was August 16, 1960, but the public holiday was moved to October 1 to avoid summer heat and tourist season.
Independence Day
October 28
1918
Austria-Hungary
Independence declaration by the Czechoslovak National Council
Restoration Day
January 1
1993
Czechoslovakia
Effective date of the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into Czech Republic and Slovakia
D
Independence Day
June 30
1960
Belgium
Effective date of the Treaty of Friendship, Assistance and Co-operation between Belgium and the Congo concluded on June 29, 1960
None
E
May 20
2002
Portugal
East Timor was invaded by Indonesia from 1975 to 1999, officially it never ceased to be considered as administrated by Portugal.
Independence Day
August 10
1809
Spanish Empire
Proclaimed independence on August 10, 1809, but failed with the execution of all the conspirators of the movement on August 2, 1810.
None
Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence was issued on February 28, 1922, but Egypt does not celebrate this date.
Independence Day
February 24
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Estonian Declaration of Independence
Somhlolo Day
September 6
1968
United Kingdom
Named for Ngwane IV, Somhlolo, who reigned from 1815 to 1836 and created a kingdom comparable to the Zulu, the Maroti, or the Pedi.
None
F
Independence Day
November 3
1986
United States
Effective date of the Compact of Free Association
Independence Day
December 6
1917
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Finnish Declaration of Independence
None
Independence Day
May 26
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Day of the proclamation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918.
None
March 25
1821
Ottoman Empire
Declaration of independence 1821. Start of the Greek War of Independence.
Independence Day
September 24
1973
Portugal
Declaration of independence during the Guinea-Bissau War of Independence
None
October 23
1989
Opening of its previously-restricted border with Austria in 1989, and establishment as a democratic parliamentary republic.
I
Independence Day
June 17
1944
Denmark
Effective date of the dissolution of the Danish-Icelandic Act of Union following the 1944 Icelandic constitutional referendum
Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan)
August 17
1945
Netherlands and Japan
Proclamation of Indonesian Independence
April 1
1979
After holding a referendum, Iran officially became an Islamic republic in April 1979.
April 24
1916
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Proclamation of the Irish Republic commencing the Easter Rising. Usually celebrated on Easter Monday.
Yom Ha'atzmaut
Iyar 5 (On or between Apr 15 and May 15, depending on the Hebrew calendar).
1948
United Kingdom and the British Mandate for Palestine
Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 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 April 15 and May 15, according to the Gregorian calendar.
None
None
N
ChogukhaebangÅi nal
August 15
1945
Empire of Japan
Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 1948. Korean War 1950-1953.
S
Samiljeol
March 1
1919
Empire of Japan
Korean Declaration of Independence in 1919. This day is celebrated as Samiljeol, or Independence Proclamation Day.
Gwangbokjeol
August 15
1945
Empire of Japan
Liberation from the Empire of Japan in 1945. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was founded in 1919. Korean War 1950-1953.
L
None
Laos gained autonomy from France on 19 July 1949 and full independence on 22 October 1953, but those days are not celebrated as public holidays in Laos. The National Day on December 2 commemorates the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975.
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia
November 18
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and German Empire
Proclamation of independence on November 18, 1918. Latvia was part of Russian Empire prior to World War I, but its territory had been ceded to German Empire in March 1918
December 24
1951
Italy
Independence from Italy on February 10, 1947, released from British and French on December 24, 1951.
None
Statehood Restoration Day
February 16
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and German Empire
Act of Independence of Lithuania
Independence Restoration Day
March 11
1990
Soviet Union
Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania
None
None
Grito de Dolores
Día de la Independéncia
Día de la Independéncia
September 15
September 16
September 16
1810
Spanish Empire
Start of the Mexican War of Independence
None
Independence Day
December 29
1911
Great Qing
Independence declared in 1911. However, the newly established Mongolian government was too weak to resist the occupation of the Republic of China in 1919 and later White Russia in early 1921. After ousting Roman von Ungern-Sternberg's forces, the new communist government was officially established on June 11, 1921.
Independence Day
Dia da Independéncia Nacional
Dia da Independéncia Nacional
June 25
1975
Portugal
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 June 25, 1975.
Independence Day
August 3
1960
France
Effective date of the agreement with France signed on July 11.
Constitution Day
May 17
1814
Denmark
National Day: Independence and the Constitution of Norway (May 17, 1814)
P
Independence Day (Youm-e-Azadi)
August 14
1947
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Indian Independence Act 1947.
None
November 3
1903
Colombia
Panama was member of the "Gran Colombia" until 1903. The 1903 separation from Colombia is celebrated as an official holiday day on November 3.
Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan or Araw ng Kasarinlan)
June 12
1898
Spanish Empire
Philippine Declaration of Independence by Emilio Aguinaldo during the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The Philippines achieved self-rule from the United States on July 4, 1946, and celebrated July 4 as Independence Day until 1964.
Independence Day (Święto Niepodległości)
November 11
1918
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and German Empire
Restoration of Poland's independence in 1918 after 123 years of partitions by Russia, Prussia, and Austria.
Restoration of Independence Day
December 1
1640
Spanish Empire
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.
R
May 9
1877
Ottoman Empire
Romania's declaration of its independence, while the ultimately victorious independence war against the Ottoman Empire in 1877-1878 alongside Russia, was just beginning.
None
Independence Day
July 1
1962
Belgium
Effective date of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1746 terminating the Ruanda-Urundi Trusteeship
None
Independence Day
July 12
1975
Portugal
Effective date of the agreement with Portugal reached on November 26, 1974
National Day
September 23
1932
King Abdulaziz renames the Arabian Peninsula after himself "House of Saud" or "Saud's Arabia". King Abdullah officially recognized it in 2005 by royal decree.
Statehood Day
February 15
1804 and 1835
Ottoman Empire
The beginning of First Serbian Uprising in 1804, it evolved into a Serbian Revolution, war for independence from Ottoman Empire; and the adoption of the first Constitution in 1835.
July 17
1992
Declaration of Independence in 1992 (only a remembrance day), de jure independence came on January 1, 1993 after the division of Czechoslovakia (public holiday).
Independence and Unity Day
December 26 and June 25
1991
SFR Yugoslavia
Date of the release of the official results of the independence plebiscite in 1990, confirming secession from Yugoslavia. (Statehood Day) Declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Independence Day
July 1
1960
Italy and United Kingdom
Union of the Trust Territory of Somalia (former Italian Somaliland) and British Somaliland to form the Somali Republic. Event commemorated annually.
Not a holiday
December 11
1931
United Kingdom
Independence in 1931 in terms of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 which is not a public holiday. The Union of South Africa formed on May 31, 1910 and the Republic of South Africa declared on May 31, 1961 under minority rule during Apartheid. Majority rule achieved on April 27, 1994, which is celebrated annually as the Freedom Day.
None
National Day
June 6
1523
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 and has been seen as a formal declaration of independence.
Independence Day
August 31
1962
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act 1962
None
Republic Day (October 29) and National Sovereignty and Children's Day (April 23) celebrate the founding of the Republic of Turkey, but are not independence days.
Day of Unity
January 22
1919
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Unification of Ukraine on January 22, 1919.
Independence Day or Fourth of July
July 4
1776
Kingdom of Great Britain
United States Declaration of Independence
Independence Day
August 25
1825
United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata
Declaration of independence and union with the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata.
Independence Day
September 2
1945
Empire of Japan and French
Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Z
Independence Day
October 24
1964
United Kingdom
Effective date of the Zambia Independence Act 1964
You found a piece of the puzzle
Please click here to complete it
Please click here to complete it