Throughout the world, countries celebrate their independence through national holidays and other cultural celebrations. From fireworks in the United States to flying kites in India, let’s take a look at how independence day is celebrated around the world.
Bolivia – August 6th
Bolivia throws a two-day party packed with marches, gun salutes, fireworks, music, parades and carnivals. The main event of the celebrations are the military parades on August 6th. The day is a national holiday of Bolivia locally known as Dia de la Patria. The celebrations continue for a full day especially in the capital city of Bolivia ‘La Pez.’
Cambodia – November 9th
Cambodian Independence Day is celebrated with festivals, parades, and firework displays across Cambodia. The main gathering point is Phnom Penh’s Independent Monument, which was built to mark Cambodia’s 1953 liberation from French rule.
The United States – July 4th
Americans commonly show their patriotism by hanging flags, and even wearing red, white and blue colors to celebrate independence day. Parades, backyard barbecues and fireworks are used to celebrate Independence Day in cities and towns all across the country.
India – August 15th
To symbolize its freedom from British rule, saffron, white and emerald-green kites evoking the young country’s tri-colored flag are flown. It is also typical in most parts of the country for a ceremony and unfurling of the national flag.
Norway – May 17th
This day celebrates the signing of the Constitution of Norway. In Norway, children play a special part in the celebration of their independence day. Several children’s parades are held during the day, where the children march with flags and school banners led by marching bands. In the capital city of Oslo, the children will pass the Royal Palace, where the royal family will wave to the parade participants from the balcony. In most cities, local schools arrange games, activities and lotteries with nice prizes, as well as selling cakes, soda, ice cream and candies. In the evening, people gather with family and friends to have dinner or barbeques together.
Mexico – September 16th
In Mexico City people gather at Zocalo, a plaza where people have gathered since the days of the Aztecs. Everywhere in the country streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated. Flags are hoisted from houses and buildings. Colorful lanterns can be found in most cities. The celebrations reach a high point when the President of Mexico arrives in the Zocalo, at 11 o’clock on September 15 to re-enact Father Hidalgos’ grito, or cry, of Independence to his followers. The President then rings the same bell that Father Hidalgo rang followed by the crowd proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of the independence war and then they end it with a final shout of VIVA MÉXICO! Colorful fireworks light up the Mexican evening sky as the ceremonies end.
Australia – January 26th
Officially known as Australia Day the celebration honors the creation of the first British settlement in Australia. On this day, Australians celebrate with surfing races, ferry races and a tall ships race. Fireworks are also customary in Australia, where they are even lit on moving boats and skyscrapers.
Costa Rica – September 15th
Traditional dancing takes center stage in Costa Rica’s Independence Day celebrations on 15 September. Unlike other countries in the Americas, there was no fight for independence in Central America. Depleted by the war with Napoleon Bonaparte, and a few Latin American wars, Spain actually supported Central American independence because the region had become a burden.
South Korea – March 1st / August 15th
South Korea celebrates its liberation from Japan on two different and important days. August 15 is called Gwangbokjeol, and celebrates South Korea’s independence from Japan and the creation of the South Korean government. The day includes national ceremonies, displaying the flag, and singing the official independence day song called 광복절 노래: Gwangbokjeol Nor. March 1 is called Samil Jeol, and celebrates the independence movement that helped liberate South Korea from the Japanese, and memorializes the men and women lost during the rebellion. To commemorate the day, the Declaration of Independence is read at Pagoda Park (탑골공원) in Seoul.
France – July 14th
July 14th marks the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris, which was the beginning of the French Revolution. Bastille Day is observed as the French National Day, and is celebrated with many different traditions, such as firefighter organized dance parties, military parades, and fireworks.
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Yes, you forgot, that no only Costa Rica celebrate independence on Sept 15, also Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Chile is Sept 18, Venezuela July 5th, Brazil Sep 7, Dominican Republic Feb 27 were claim autonomy from Haiti and Haiti celebrates theirs on January 1st.
January 22nd is my birthday and also the Independence Day of Ukraine ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Bangladesh – March 26th ????
Philippines & Russia June 12th
Afghanistan becomes independent from the United Kingdom in 1919, on the condition that it remains committed to the Foreign Affairs of 19 August
Albania became independent from the Ottoman Empire on 28 November 1912.
Andorra became independent on March 14 1993 from France and Spain.
Angola became independent from Portugal on 11 November 1975.
Antigua and Barbuda became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981.
Argentina became independent from Spain on July 9, 1816.
Austria May 15 USA, Soviet Union, United Kingdom and
Azerbaijan became independent from the Soviet Union on October 18, 1991.
The Bahamas became independent from the United Kingdom on 10 July 1973.
Bahrain becomes independent from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1971.
This incident led to a 9-month war that would end on December 16, 1971.
Barbados become independent from the United Kingdom on 30 November 1966.
Belarus, July 3, 1944, the Soviet Union troops liberate Minsk from German occupation.
Belgium on July 21, 1831, as the first king of Belgium, Leopold the First enthroned.
Belize became independent from the United Kingdom on September 21 1981.
Benin became independent from France on August 1, 1960.
United Arab Emirates December 2, 1971 independence from the United Kingdom.
Bolivia became independent from Spain on 6 August 1825.
Bosnia and Herzegovina March 1 Independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992.
Botswana became independent from the United Kingdom on 30 September 1966.
Brunei became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.
Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire on September 22, 1908.
Burkina Faso became independent from France on August 5, 1960.
Burundi became independent from Belgium on 1 July 1962.
Algeria became independent from France on July 5, 1962.
Chad became independent from France on August 11, 1960.
Czech & Slovak Republics became independent from the Austro-Hungarian Empire on October 28, 1918.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo becomes independent from Belgium on June 30, 1960.
East Timor becomes independent from Indonesia on 20 May 2002.
Dominican Republic becomes independent from Haiti on February 27, 1844.
Ecuador declared its independence from Spain on August 10 and May 24 on August 10, 1809. However, with various conspiracies, it could not be valid until August 2, 1810. Independence was finally achieved with the Pichincha war on May 24, 1822.
El Salvador to become independent from Spain on 15 September 1821.
Armenia became independent from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991.
Indonesia becomes independent from the Netherlands on August 17.
Independence from Japan in 1945.
Eritrea becomes independent from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993.
Estonia became independent on 24 February 1918 from Bolshevik Russia.
Morocco March 2 Independence from France and Spain in 1956.
The Philippines became independent from Spain on June 12, 1898.
Finland became independent from Russia on December 6, 1917.
Gambia became independent from the United Kingdom on February 18, 1965.
Ghana became independent from the United Kingdom on March 6, 1957.
Guatemala September 15 Independence from Spain in 1821.
Guyana becomes independent from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966.
The Republic of South Africa became independent from the United Kingdom on December 11, 1931. But it is not a national holiday. The establishment of the South African Union on May 31, 1910 and the proclamation of the Republic of South Africa on May 31, 1961 are celebrated.
Georgia May 26
April 9
Independence from Russia in 1918.
Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Haiti became independent from France on 1 January 1804.
Croatia became independent from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 8 October 1991.
India became independent from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947.
Honduras became independent from Spain on September 15, 1821.
Israel declared its independence from the United Kingdom on May 15, 1948, with the 5 Iyar Georgian calendar.
Ireland became independent from the United Kingdom on 6 December 1922.
Switzerland became independent from the Holy Roman Empire on 1 August 1291.
Iceland became independent from Denmark on 17 June 1944.
Jamaica became independent from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962.
Cameroon is independent from the UK and France on 1 January.
Qatar became independent from the United Kingdom on September 3 in 1971.
Montenegro becomes independent from Serbia in May 21, 2006.
Kazakhstan to become independent from the Soviet Union on 16 December 1991.
Kenya became independent from the United Kingdom on 12 December 1963.
Cyprus October 1Independence from the UK in 1960.
Kyrgyzstan became independent from the Soviet Union on 31 August 1991.
Colombia became independent from Spain on 20 July and 7 August 1810.
Costa Rica became independent from Spain on September 15, 1821.
North Korea The establishment of North Korea in September 9 1948.
South Korea became independent from Japan on 15 August 1945.
Kuwait became independent from the United Kingdom on January 26, 1961.
Latvia became independent from Russia on November 18, 1918.
Lesotho became independent from the United Kingdom on October 4, 1966.
Liberia declared independence on July 26 1847.
Lithuania became independent from Russia and Germany on February 16 and March 11 in 1918.
Independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
Lebanon becomes independent from France on 22 November 1943.
Madagascar became independent from France on June 26, 1960.
Malawi became independent from the United Kingdom on 6 July 1964.
Malaysia became independent from the United Kingdom on 31 August 1957.
Maldives Islands become independent from the United Kingdom on July 26, 1965.
Mali September 22 to become independent from France in 1960.
North Macedonia September 8 / May 25 Independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991.
Malta became independent from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1964.
Mauritius became independent from the United Kingdom on March 12, 1968.
Mexico became independent from Spain on 16 September 1810. It was recognized on September 27, 1821.
Moldova to become independent from the Soviet Union on 27 August 1991.
Mongolia became independent from China on 11 July 1921 on 26 November.
Mozambique became independent from Portugal on June 25, 1975.
Myanmar became independent from the United Kingdom on January 4, 1948.
Namibia became independent from South Africa on March 21, 1990.
Nicaragua became independent from Spain on September 15, 1821.
Niger becomes independent from France on 3 August 1960.
Nigeria became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960.
Norway became independent from Sweden on 17 May 1905. Due to the Norwegian Constitution signed at Eidsvoll in 1814, the same day is also celebrated as Constitution Day.
Uzbekistan became independent from the Soviet Union on September 1, 1991.
Pakistan became independent from the United Kingdom on 14 August 1947.
Panama became independent from Spain on 28 November 1821. It is celebrated on November 3, due to the country’s separation from Colombia.
Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia on 16 September 1975.
Paraguay becomes independent from Spain on 15 May 1811.
Peru became independent from Spain on July 28, 1821.
Poland On November 11, 1918, the reunification of the Polish territories under Prussia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russian rule after 123 years.
Portugal became independent from Spain on 1 December 1640.
Romania became independent from the Ottoman Empire on May 9, 1877.
Russia June 12 Russia Day: It has been celebrated since June 12, 1992, after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Rwanda became independent from Belgium on 1 July 1962.
São Tomé and Príncipe become independent from Portugal on 12 July 1975.
Serbia’s first revolt against the Ottoman Empire on February 15, 1804
Seychelles became independent from the United Kingdom on June 29, 1976.
Sierra Leone becomes independent from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961.
Singapore is celebrated as the August 9 National Day, leaving Malaysia in 1965.
Slovakia July 17 Declaration of Independence (Day of remembrance only. The main independence was with the separation from Czechoslovakia on 1 January 1993.
Slovenia became independent from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 26 December 1990.
Sri Lanka became independent from the United Kingdom on February 4, 1948.
Suriname became independent from the Netherlands on 25 November 1975.
Esvatini became independent from the United Kingdom on 6 September 1968.
Chile became independent from Spain on February 12, 1818. Indeed, Chileans celebrate September 18th. This announcement was not recognized until 25 April 1844.
Tajikistan to become independent from the Soviet Union on September 9, 1991.
Tanzania became independent from the United Kingdom on 9 December 1961.
Trinidad and Tobago became independent from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1962.
Tonga June 4 to become independent from the UK in 1970.
Tunisia becomes independent from France on 20 March 1956.
After the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey October 29 was declared a republic in 1923.
Ukraine became independent from the Soviet Union on 24 August 1991.
Uruguay became independent from Brazil on August 25, 1825.
Jordan becomes independent from the United Kingdom on May 25, 1946.
The Vatican on February 11 is the date of the treaty signed with Italy in 1929.
Venezuela became independent from Spain on July 5, 1811.
Vietnam became independent from France on September 2, 1945.
Yemen became independent from the United Kingdom on November 30, 1967.
The Cape Verde Islands become independent from Portugal on July 5, 1975.
Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire on 25 March 1821. Beginning of the Greek War of Independence
Zambia became independent from the United Kingdom on 24 October 1964.
Zimbabwe became independent from the United Kingdom on April 18 1980.
We, Malaysians, celebrate Independence Day on 31 August every year. How do we celebrate the day? We decorate everything with our flag and we sing patriotic songs (just like Americans) but most of all, we gather at either Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya to witness the national-level Independence Day Parade (with RTM TV1 as the main TV channel for annual Independence Day Parades) and since “Eat Outside Day” also falls on the same day, I’d like to do the special picnic with my friends and/or family at an open space, for as long as we’re still in Malaysia!
Where is Bangladesh ..??
Amazing. Thailand doesnt celebrate independence day coz theyve never been colonized.