Independence Day in São Tomé and Príncipe

Independence Day in São Tomé and Príncipe is celebrated on July 12, marking the day in 1975 when the country gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule. The archipelago was discovered by Portuguese navigators in the late 15th century and served as an important hub for the Atlantic slave trade. After centuries under Portuguese control, a peaceful coup in Portugal on April 25, 1974 (known as the Carnation Revolution), led to decolonization efforts across its empire. São Tomé and Príncipe achieved full sovereignty on July 12, 1975, with Manuel Pinto da Costa serving as the nation's first president.

Traditions:

·    Official Ceremonies: The day is marked by formal ceremonies including speeches from government officials, flag-raising events, and parades.

·   Cultural Festivities: Cultural performances featuring traditional music and dance are common.

·  Public Gatherings: Citizens often partake in public gatherings to celebrate their national pride.

·    Sports Competitions: Sporting events, such as football matches, are organized to foster community spirit.

What People Do: On Independence Day, people of São Tomé and Príncipe engage in a variety of activities that reflect their joy and national pride. They attend organized events like parades or concerts where local artists perform. Families and friends often gather for meals or picnics to celebrate together. It is a day when citizens reflect on their nation's history and cultural identity while looking forward to its future. Public buildings are adorned with flags and other national symbols to commemorate this significant date in the country's history.

Kiribati Independence Day

 

Kiribati Independence Day is celebrated annually on July 12th to mark its independence from the United Kingdom, on July 12, 1979. Festivities last for several days as the government sets the dates for several other public holidays like Gospel Day, National Culture Day, and Senior Citizens’ Day during Independence Week. The capital of South Tarawa has the biggest celebration at the Bairiki National Stadium. Colourful parades, traditional dances, canoe races, kite-flying, and other sports competitions form part of the revelry.

History of Kiribati Independence Day

Kiribati is located in the central Pacific Ocean and is part of the division of the Pacific Islands called Micronesia. There are 33 coral islands consisting of the Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands. Most are atolls or ring-shaped islands with central lagoons, except for Banana in the Gilbert Islands, which is a raised limestone island. Only 21 islands are inhabited, with most of the population concentrated in the Gilbert Islands.

The islands came under European colonial rule almost by accident. Several Europeans just happened to end up there as traders or castaways. It was named after British naval captain Thomas Gilbert who came across the islands in 1788 while sailing from Australia to China. In 1892, Britain declared a protectorate over the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands, now known as Tuvalu. They also annexed Ocean Island, now known as Banaba, with the discovery of phosphate resources. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony was formed in 1916, and over the next 20 years, other island groups were added, including the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands.

Banaban residents started litigation proceedings against the British government to demand compensation for environmental damage caused by phosphate mining as well as recovery of lost phosphate export revenues in 1971. They soon demanded independence in 1975 but the British government refused. The Ellice Islands separated from the colony and eventually became part of Tuvalu. Eventually, the Gilbert Islands were able to establish internal self-government in 1977.