The idea of Independence Day or National Day varies between countries. For some it’s the day a former colonial power left, for others it is the founding date of a republic, or the date of unification, or a constitution day. Here’s a list showing the date each country celebrates, and a short note when relevant (e.g. from whom they became independent, or what the date represents).
🇺🇳 Sample of Countries and Dates
| Country | Independence / National Day Date | What It Marks |
|---|---|---|
| United States | July 4 | Independence from Britain, 1776. |
| India | August 15 | Independence from Britain, 1947. |
| Ghana | March 6 | Independence from Britain, 1957. |
| Georgia | May 26 | Adoption of the Act of Independence, 1918 (separation from Russian empire). |
| Djibouti | June 27 | Independence from France, 1977. |
| Brunei | February 23 | National Day (though formal independence from UK was on 1 Jan 1984). |
| Croatia | June 25 | Proclamation of independence from Yugoslavia. |
| Slovenia | June 25 | Declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, 1991; noted as Statehood Day. |
🗓 More Countries (Selected)
Here are more countries, grouped by month, with their key dates and what they commemorate:
January
- Cuba — January 1 (Day of Liberation)
- Sudan — January 1 (Independence Day)
February
- Sri Lanka — February 4 (Independence and National Day)
- Brunei — February 23 (National Day)
March
- Ghana — March 6
- Zambia — October 24
April
- Senegal — April 4
- Israel — April 26 (Independence Day)
May
- Georgia — May 26
- Jordan — May 25
June
- Djibouti — June 27
- Madagascar — June 26
July
- United States — July 4
- Canada — July 1
August
- India — August 15
- Pakistan — August 14
September
- Mexico — September 16
- Brazil — September 7
October
- China — October 1 (National Day)
- Nigeria — October 1
November / December
- Angola — November 11
- Kenya — December 12
Why Dates Differ
- Some countries never had a colonial power and thus their national day marks founding, constitution, or monarchy days.
- Some independence dates are disputed, some are symbolic (date of proclamation vs date of recognition).
- Some national days are not about breaking from colonizers but about revolution, unification, end of monarchy, etc.
