Independence: All The Countries Celebrating Freedom In October
An independence day is a yearly celebration of a country’s independence or statehood, typically following a significant change in government, the end of a military occupation, or the cessation of membership in another nation or state. Numerous nations celebrate their freedom from colonial rule.
Independence is not a national holiday in every nation. Other important dates are marked in many countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, New Zealand, Ireland, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Turkey.
Nigeria is the first country out of twenty-two nations that observe National Day or Independence Day in October. Below is a list of the nations along with their national holidays or declarations of independence:
Nigeria’s Independence Day is October 1.
After years of colonial control, Nigeria became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960, when it declared its independence from British rule.
- National Day in China
China’s National Day commemorates the People’s Republic of China’s establishment on October 1, 1949, following a protracted civil war dominated by Mao Zedong’s Communist Party. - Independence Day in Cyprus
Cyprus became an independent republic on October 1, 1960, when it was freed from British colonial control. - Independence Day in Palau
On October 1, 1994, Palau celebrated its independence as a sovereign state from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which was administered by the United States. - Independence Day in Tuvalu
As a British colony, Tuvalu became an independent island nation on October 1, 1978, when it officially separated from the United Kingdom.
6. Guinea: Independence Day, October 2. On October 2, 1958, Guinea became the first French colony in Africa to become independent from French colonial rule.
7. October 3: Unity Day in Germany
The reunification of East and West Germany on October 3, 1990, signifies the end of division following the Cold War and is commemorated on Germany’s Unity Day.
- Iraq: The Day of Independence
On October 3, 1932, Iraq gained independence from British mandate control, ending British administrative supervision.
9. Lesotho: Independence Day, October 4.
On October 4, 1966, Lesotho became a sovereign state in Southern Africa after gaining independence from British colonial rule.
10. October 8: Independence Day in Croatia
In honor of the country’s October 8, 1991, declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, Croatia observes its Independence Day.
11. October 9. Independence Day in Uganda
On October 9, 1962, Uganda declared its independence from British rule, ending colonial dominance.
12. October 10. Independence Day in Fiji
On October 10, 1970, Fiji gained its independence following almost a century of British colonial control.
13. Taiwan: Double Ten Day, or National Day
Taiwan’s National Day honors the October 10, 1911, Wuchang Uprising, which brought about the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China.
14. October 12: Independence Day in Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea became one of Africa’s smallest sovereign states after gaining independence from Spain on October 12, 1968.
- National Day in Spain
On October 12, Spain celebrates its National Day, which honors Christopher Columbus’s historic first voyage to the Americas in 1492. The Spanish Empire and Spanish colonization of the Americas began with this event.
16. October 18: Independence Restoration Day in Azerbaijan
After decades of communist rule, Azerbaijan celebrated its Restoration of Independence on October 18, 1991, marking its independence from the Soviet Union.
17. Zambia: Independence Day, October 24
Northern Rhodesia came to an end on October 24, 1964, when Zambia became a republic and gained independence from British colonial rule.
18. October 26: National Day in Austria
In honor of the 1955 signing of the Austrian State Treaty, which reinstated Austria’s sovereignty following World War II, Austria observes its National Day on October 26.
19. October 27: Independence Day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
On October 27, 1979, St. Vincent and the Grenadines became a sovereign state within the Commonwealth after gaining complete independence from British rule.
- Independence Day in Turkmenistan
On October 27, 1991, Turkmenistan proclaimed its independence from the Soviet Union, beginning its path to national autonomy.
21. October 28: Independence Day in the Czech Republic Czechia, formerly known as Czechoslovakia, celebrates its October 28, 1918, independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- Slovakia: The Day of Independence
As a part of the former Czechoslovakia, Slovakia also commemorated its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire on October 28, 1918.
