National Day of Gambia

The National Day of Gambia is on the 18th February (Independence Day, from the United Kingdom 1965). As you will notice that this day celenrates Gambia’s independence from British colonial rule which ended on the 18th February 1965.

National Day of Gambia

The country had been under British rule since the 19th century, and after a long struggle for independence, Gambia finally gained its sovereignty in 1965. On this day, Gambians celebrate their country’s independence with parades, cultural performances, and various other festivities.

Likewise in 1959 when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was founded by Sir Dawda Jawara. The party very quickly became the leading political party in Ghana. They campaigned for greater representation in the colonial government, and in 1962, Jawara became the country’s first Chief Minister.

However the British government continued to engage in a gradual transfer to self-rule. Finally in 1963 a new constitution was introduced which allowed for a greater degree of self-government. The country held its first general election under the new constitution in 1962. Then as expected the PPP won a majority of seats in the Legislative Council.

Finally on the 18th February 1965, Gambia became an independent nation within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Dawda Jawara serving as its first Prime Minister.

Likewise see also the National Day of Gabon and the National Day of Ethiopia and the National Day of Ghana.