Republic Day

Republic Day is the name of a holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they became republics.

Frecce tricolori at the Festa della Repubblica in Italy, June 2, 2005.

Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team displaying tricolor in India, February 11, 2011.

List

Legend

  Ceased to be republic

  Transition during or following World War I (1914–1923)

  Transition during or following World War II (1939–1950)

  Transition in pre or post world war era

Country	Date of transition	Remarks
Netherlands	26 July 1581	The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands declared its independence from King Philip II of Spain on 26 July 1581 with the Act of Abjuration, and became the Batavian Republic in 1795. The Kingdom of Holland was formed on 5 June 1806.
Switzerland	24 October 1648	Switzerland became independent from the Holy Roman Empire by the Treaty of Westphalia
England	19 May 1649	The Commonwealth of England, later known as the Protectorate, was established on 19 May 1649 following the execution of King Charles I. At its height, it ruled over all the British Isles. The monarchy was restored on 29 May 1660.
United States	4 July 1776	Went de facto independent from Great Britain with adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence
Paraguay	15 May 1811	Independence from Spain
Argentina	9 July 1816	Independence won from the Spanish Empire. Republican governments established from 1811 onwards. Republican constitutions of 1819 and 1826 led to the adoption of the 1853 text
Chile	12 February 1818	Independence declared from the Spanish Empire. Between 1810 and 1814 there were Republican governments although nominally remained loyal to the Spanish monarchy. In 1817 there was re-established the independentist government and established a republican system in different constitutional texts.
Venezuela	15 August 1819	Venezuelan constitution of 1819 adopted
Colombia	17 December 1819	Republic of Colombia declared during Congress of Angostura
Panama
Ecuador	24 May 1822	Incorporated into Republic of Colombia, end of Royal Audiencia of Quito
Costa Rica	1 July 1823	Independence of United Provinces of Central America
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Peru	9 December 1824	Treaty signed after Battle of Ayacucho
Bolivia	6 August 1825	Constitutional congress declared Bolivia a republic
Uruguay	4 October 1828	Ratification of Treaty of Montevideo
Liberia	26 July 1847	Independent Republic of Liberia created
Haiti	15 January 1859	Abdication of Emperor Faustin
Dominican Republic	25 March 1865	Adoption of new constitution near end of Dominican Restoration War
Mexico	15 July 1867	Emperor Maxmilian executed; Federal Republic officially restored
France	4 September 1870	Emperor Napoleon III deposed and French Third Republic proclaimed as a result of the Franco-Prussian War
Algeria		Republican government instituted when French mother country became a republic
Ivory Coast
Mauritania
Senegal
Brazil	15 November 1889	Emperor Pedro II deposed and Brazilian Republic proclaimed by Marshall Deodoro da Fonseca
Hawaii	4 July 1894	Queen Liliʻuokalani deposed and republic proclaimed following a provisional government
Madagascar	28 February 1897	End of Merina Kingdom
Philippines	23 January 1899	First Philippine Republic.
Cuba	11 April 1899	Official end of Spanish–American War
Portugal	5 October 1910	King Manuel II deposed and Portuguese First Republic proclaimed as a result of the 1910 revolution
Angola		Republican government instituted when Portuguese mother country became a republic
Cape Verde
East Timor
Guinea-Bissau
Mozambique
São Tomé and Príncipe
China	10 October 1911	Republic of China (ROC) proclaimed as a result of the Xinhai Revolution. The ROC was initially in control of mainland China but later relocated to Taiwan. It is now commonly known as "Taiwan". The People's Republic of China was proclaimed on 1 October 1949 and is now in control of mainland China. It is commonly known as "China".
Comoros	1912	End of last of indigenous sultanates
Armenia	14 September 1917	Emperor Nicholas II of Russia abdicated as a result of the February Revolution and Russia was proclaimed a republic
Belarus
Estonia
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Russia
Ukraine
Czech Republic	18 October 1918	Czechoslovak Republic proclaimed
Slovakia
Lithuania	2 November 1918	King Mindaugas II deposed and Republic of Lithuania proclaimed
Germany	9 November 1918	Emperor William II abdicated as a result of the German Revolution
Austria	12 November 1918	Republic of German Austria proclaimed following the dethronement of Emperor Charles
Poland	14 November 1918	Power transferred from the Regency Council to Chief of State Józef Piłsudski
Finland	14 December 1918	King Frederic Charles renounced the throne
Turkmenistan	26 April 1920	Khan Sayid Abdullah deposed and Khorezm People's Soviet Republic proclaimed
Lebanon	23 July 1920	French Mandate of Syria established after the Battle of Maysalun
Syria
Tajikistan	8 October 1920	Emir Mohammed Alim Khan deposed and Bukharan People's Republic proclaimed
Uzbekistan
Togo	20 July 1922	Formal beginning of French Togoland League of Nations Mandate
Turkey	29 October 1923	Republic of Turkey was proclaimed after the Turkish War of Independence, succeeding the Ottoman Empire
Mongolia	26 November 1924	Mongolian People's Republic proclaimed
Spain	14 April 1931	The Second Spanish Republic came to power on 14 April 1931 following the economic crisis caused by the 1929 Wall Street Crash. The Republic lost power after the Spanish Civil War. Francisco Franco then led Spain until his death on 20 November 1975 when democracy, along with the monarchy, was restored.
Moldova	2 August 1940	Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic proclaimed following the annexation of Romanian Moldavia by the Soviet Union
Iceland	17 June 1944	Republic of Iceland established after a referendum
North Korea	15 August 1945	Korea liberated from Japan and the People's Republic of Korea established, divided into North Korea and South Korea a month later.
South Korea
Indonesia	17 August 1945	Republic of Indonesia's proclamation of independence triggering the Indonesian National Revolution
Vietnam	25 August 1945	Emperor Bảo Đại abdicated and Democratic Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed
Taiwan	25 October 1945	Taiwan and Penghu Islands transferred to the Republic of China. Since 1949, the ROC only controls Taiwan and the surrounding islands.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	29 November 1945	Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia proclaimed while King Peter II was in exile
Croatia
Macedonia
Montenegro
Serbia
Slovenia
Albania	1 January 1946	People's Republic of Albania proclaimed while King Zog was in exile
Hungary	1 February 1946	Second Hungarian Republic proclaimed
Italy	2 June 1946	King Umberto II renounced the throne and the Italian Republic was established after a referendum
Bulgaria	15 September 1946	Tsar Simeon II deposed and People's Republic of Bulgaria proclaimed after a referendum
Marshall Islands	18 July 1947	end of South Pacific Mandate and beginning of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Palau
Romania	30 December 1947	King Michael abdicated and the People's Republic of Romania was proclaimed
Myanmar	4 January 1948	Burmese independence declared
Israel	14 May 1948	State of Israel proclaimed
Ireland	18 April 1949	Republic of Ireland Act came into force
India	26 January 1950	Constitution of India came into effect
Egypt	18 June 1953	Republic proclaimed after revolution in 1952
South Sudan	1 January 1956	Independence of Republic of Sudan
Sudan
Pakistan	23 March 1956	Constitution of Pakistan came into effect and Governor General Iskander Mirza became President. Three coups in 1958 Pakistani coup d'état, 1977 and in 1999 respectively before restoration of civil electorate in 2008.
Tunisia	25 July 1957	King Muhammad VIII al-Amin deposed
Iraq	14 July 1958	Faisal II deposed/killed in 14 July Revolution
Somalia	26 June 1960	Independence of State of Somaliland, which was united with the Trust Territory of Somalia on 1 July to form the Somali Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo	30 June 1960	Gained independence as a republic
Ghana	1 July 1960	Constitutional change after referendum on 27 April
Cyprus	16 August 1960	Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus adopted
South Africa	31 May 1961	Republican constitution adopted
Cameroon	1 October 1961	End of British Trusteeship in Southern Cameroons, union with rest of Cameroon
Rwanda	1 July 1962	Independence as a republic following monarchy referendum in 1961
Yemen	27 September 1962	King Muhammad al-Badr deposed and Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) proclaimed
Tanganyika	9 December 1962	Republican constitution adopted
Nigeria	1 October 1963	Constitutional amendment
Uganda	9 October 1963	Constitutional amendment
Zanzibar	12 January 1964	Sultanate overthrown in Zanzibar Revolution
Zambia	24 October 1964	Gained independence as a republic
Kenya	12 December 1964	Republican constitution adopted
Singapore	9 August 1965	Ousted from the Federation of Malaysia
Malawi	6 July 1966	Republican constitution adopted
Botswana	30 September 1966	Gained independence as a republic
Burundi	28 November 1966	Republic declared after army coup d'état
South Yemen	30 November 1967	Independence of People's Republic of South Yemen
Nauru	31 January 1968	Gained independence as a republic
Equatorial Guinea	12 October 1968	Gained independence as a republic
Maldives	11 November 1968	Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi deposed and Maldivian Second Republic established after a referendum
Libya	1 September 1969	King Idris I deposed by Muammar Gaddafi's coup d'état
Guyana	23 February 1970	Co-operative Republic of Guyana proclaimed
Cambodia	18 March 1970	The Khmer Republic (later known as Democratic Kampuchea, then the People's Republic of Kampuchea, and finally the State of Cambodia) was declared in 1970 when Prince Norodom Sihanouk was deposed. The monarchy was restored in 1993.
The Gambia	24 April 1970	Republic proclaimed following constitutional referendum
Sierra Leone	19 April 1971	Republican constitution adopted
Sri Lanka	22 May 1972	Sri Lankan constitution adopted
Bangladesh	16 December 1972	Constitution came into effect after a year of formation of state in 1972. Three coups followed in 1975 and 1982.
Afghanistan	17 July 1973	King Mohammed Zahir Shah abdicated after Mohammed Daoud Khan's coup d'état
Greece	8 December 1974	Final abolition of monarchy; referendum
Malta	13 December 1974	Republic of Malta proclaimed
Eritrea	21 March 1975	Monarchy of Ethiopian Empire finally abolished
Ethiopia
Suriname	25 November 1975	Gained independence as a republic
Laos	2 December 1975	King Savang Vatthana abdicated as a result of a communist revolution
Seychelles	29 June 1976	Gained independence as a republic
Trinidad and Tobago	1 August 1976	Republican constitution adopted
Dominica	3 November 1978	Gained independence as a republic
Iran	11 February 1979	Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi deposed and Islamic Republic of Iran (a theocratic republic) proclaimed as a result of the Iranian Revolution
Kiribati	12 July 1979	Gained independence as a republic
Central African Republic	21 September 1979	Emperor Bokassa I deposed in a coup d'état
Zimbabwe	17 April 1980	Full independence of Zimbabwe
Fiji	6 October 1987	Fiji Republic proclaimed as a result of the coup d'état of Sitiveni Rabuka
Mauritius	12 March 1992	Republic of Mauritius proclaimed as a result of constitutional changes
Samoa	11 May 2007	Upon the death of Malietoa Tanumafili II, Samoa changed to a parliamentary republic.
Nepal	28 May 2008	Abolition of monarchy
Barbados	30 November 2021	Republic of Barbados to be declared effective 30 November 2021.

January

1 January in Slovak Republic

The day of creation of Slovak republic. A national holiday since 1993. Officially called The day of establishment of Slovak republic.

9 January in Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

After Yugoslavia fell apart, Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina wanted to stay with Serbia and Montenegro. Croats and Bosniaks, on the other hand, wanted to create an independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 9 January 1992, Bosnian Serb authorities declared the creation of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, now called Republika Srpska ("Serb Republic", not to be confused with the Republic of Serbia) as a state within the country of Bosnia of Herzegovina. Republika Srpska now celebrates Republic Day on the anniversary of the state's creation.

23 January in Philippines

Main article: Republic Day (Philippines)

26 January in India

Main article: Republic Day (India)

Soldiers of the Madras Regiment during the annual Republic Day Parade in 2004.

The Constitution of India came into force, and India declared itself a Republic on 26 January 1950, a day thereafter celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. The Constitution had been drafted by the Constituent Assembly headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar which was set up when India gained its independence from the British in 1947. This, in fact, was a deliberate act: The 26 January was initially India's "Independence Day", one of Mahatma Gandhi's many symbolic acts during India's struggle for freedom against British colonial rule, and the adoption of the Constitution on this date was felt able to strengthen its initial meaning, one calling for Indians of all ages to declare their freedom from the British Raj by Mahatama Gandhi. It is one of three national holidays in India, the other two being the nation's Independence Day on 15 August (since 1947) and the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October.

To mark this occasion, a grand parade is held near Kartavya Path, formerly Rajpath in New Delhi, the capital of India, beginning from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace), along the Kartavya path,formerly Rajpath ,past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort in the old quarter of the city. Different infantry, cavalry and mechanized regiments of the Indian Army, the Indian Marines and the Indian Air Force march in formation, decked in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The Chief Guest of the parade is the Head of State or Head of Government of another nation. The parade also includes many traditional dance troupes, to symbolize the cultural heritage of India. It traditionally ends with a colourful flypast by Indian Air Force jets in a tiranga formation. Similar parades are held in the capitals of all the states of India, where the Governors of the respective states take the salute. The official conclusion of republic day festivities is much later on 30 January, four days after the Republic day.

February

1 February in Hungary

On 1 February 1946 Hungary commemorates the proclamation of the Republic of Hungary. Since 2004, this day is a national commemoration day, without being a public or national Holiday.

March

23 March in Pakistan

Main article: Republic Day (Pakistan)

In Pakistan this day marks the passing of the Lahore Resolution. Republic Day of Pakistan was first observed in 1956 when Pakistan officially became a Republic and shunned the former status of Dominion. The main events of this day include a full military parade and the awarding of honours at the Presidency (Presidential Palace) by the President. Every year, on 23 March, the Pakistani people commemorate their National Day in remembrance of "The Pakistan Resolution" passed on 23 March 1940, in the historic city of Lahore which is also the day the country was declared a republic.

May

28 May in Armenia and Nepal

Main articles: Republic Day (Armenia) and Republic Day (Nepal)

On 28 May 1918 Armenia and Nepal Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, thus forming the Democratic Republic of Armenia and the Nepal Democratic Republic. These were the first sovereign republics in the history of both countries and Nepal was the first democratic parliamentary republic only achieved consistency after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

A decade-long People's Revolution by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) along with several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties of Nepal in 2006, culminated in a peace accord and the ensuing elections for the constituent assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the abdication of the last Nepali monarch Gyanendra Shah and the establishment of a federal democratic republic on 28 May 2008.

31 May in South Africa (1961–1994)

Between 1961 and 1994, 31 May was celebrated in South Africa as Republic Day. This practice was discontinued in 1995 following the attainment of majority rule and the reorganisation of public holidays as a consequence. On the last Republic Day, in 1994, South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations.

June

2 June in Italy

The Festa della Repubblica is celebrated on the second day of June, and it commemorates the institutional referendum of 1946 when (by universal suffrage) the Italian population was called to decide what form of government (monarchy or republic) to give to the country after World War II and the fall of Fascism.

After 85 years of monarchy, with 12,717,923 votes for and 10,719,284 votes against, Italy became a Republic, and the monarchs of the House of Savoy were deposed and exiled. This is one of the most important Italian public holidays which, like 14 July in France and 4 July in the USA, celebrates the birth of the nation. A grand military parade is held in central Rome.

See also: Birth of the Italian Republic

July

1 July in Ghana

Ghana's republican day.

4 July in the Philippines

4 July 1946 is the Philippines' Republic Day.

14 July in Iraq

14 July 1958 is the day the Hashemite monarchy was overthrown in Iraq by popular forces led by Abdul Karim Kassem, who became the nation's new leader. The event was commemorated in Baghdad with a statue in 14 July Square.

25 July in Tunisia

It's the day monarchy was abolished by the National Assembly and Republic was proclaimed. Habib Bourguiba was chosen to be the first President.

August

2 August in North Macedonia

Main article: Republic Day (North Macedonia)

October

5 October in Portugal

5 October in Portugal is known as Implantação da República. It celebrates the proclamation of the Portuguese First Republic in 1910.

10 October in Republic of China

10 October in Taiwan is a national holiday commemorating the establishment of the Republic of China in 1911, the symbolic start of the Chinese revolution with the Wuchang uprising. It is also known as the Double Ten Day.

24 October in Rhodesia (1970–1979)

Although the government of Ian Smith declared Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) a republic on 2 March 1970, it was officially commemorated on 24 October. Following independence in 1980, the holiday was abolished.

25 October in Kazakhstan

Main article: Republic Day (Kazakhstan)

In the waning days of Soviet rule, individual republics of the Soviet Union sought greater autonomy. The Soviet Union agreed in early 1990 to give up its monopoly of political power. Following the lead of Lithuanian SSR, Russian SFSR and others, Kazakh SSR declared its sovereignty on 25 October 1990, and Kazakhstan subsequently became independent on 16 December 1991 as the Soviet Union collapsed. 25 October, the anniversary of the adoption of the "Declaration on State Sovereignty of Kazakh SSR" by the Kazakh legislature in 1990, is now commemorated as Republic Day (Kazakh: Республика күні, romanized: Respwblïka küni), a public holiday in Kazakhstan.

29 October in Turkey

Main article: Republic Day (Turkey)

On 29 October 1923, the Turkish constitution was amended and Turkey became a republic. This formally declared the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Republic Day (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Bayramı) is celebrated throughout Turkey and Northern Cyprus every year. Commemorative events usually begin in the afternoon on the previous day. In observance of the holiday, government offices and schools close for a day. Also, there are fireworks shows in all cities of Turkey.That day everyone commemorates Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

November

11 November in the Maldives

On 11 November 1968, Maldives the then existing monarchy was abolished and replaced by a republic.

15 November in Brazil and Northern Cyprus

Main article: Republic Day (Northern Cyprus)

On 15 November 1889, in the city of Rio de Janeiro (the Brazilian capital at that time), a military coup led by Field Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca overthrew Emperor Pedro II and declared Brazil a republic.

29 November in former Yugoslavia (1945–1990)

On 29 November 1943 the Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ) established the foundations of post-war Yugoslavia as a socialist republic, which was officially proclaimed on the same date in 1945. Republic Day (local name: Dan Republike or Дан Републике) marked the occasion two consecutive days, 29 and 30 November, and was likely the most important holiday (the other two-day holidays were New Year and May Day).

In elementary schools first graders were inducted into the Union of Pioneers on or around Republic Day. Employees merged the holiday with weekends and extra days off to form 3-, 4- or even 5-day weekends. Urban dwellers took the occasion to visit their relatives in the country, who marked the event with pig slaughter and the ensuing feast.

In the 1980s, as central and Communist Party authority eroded, dissenters targeted Republic Day celebrations for criticism. In 1987, Bosnian garage rock band Zabranjeno pušenje published a song entitled Dan Republike, in which they criticized the state of the economy and protested the general indifference to the ideals behind the holiday. The band had to change some of the lyrics before being allowed to air the song.

In 1989, Slovenia and Croatia were the first federal republics to cease observing the holiday. Other seceded republics followed suit as Yugoslavia dissolved. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia kept the holiday until 2002.

The date "29.XI.1943" featured prominently on the Yugoslav coat of arms.

30 November in Barbados

This day is celebrated as both Independence Day and Republic Day, as on 30 November 2021, Barbados was declared as a Republic within the Commonwealth. Dame Sandra Mason, the last Governor-General of Barbados was installed as the first President of Barbados.

December

13 December in Malta

Main article: Republic Day (Malta)

On 13 December 1974, the constitution of Malta was substantially revised, transforming the former British colony from a Commonwealth Realm into a republic within the Commonwealth. The British Monarch ceased to be recognised as Reġina ta' Malta (Queen of Malta) and the new Head of State was President Sir Anthony Mamo. This occasion is marked every year as Republic Day (Maltese: Jum ir-Repubblika) in Malta. The monument of Republic Day is at Marsa.

18 December in Niger

18 December 1958 is commemorated in the Republic of Niger as Republic Day, the national holiday. Although not the date of formal, complete independence from France, 18 December marks the founding of the Republic and creation of the Presidency of the Republic of Niger, following the constitutional changes of the French Fifth Republic, and the elections of 4 December 1958 held across The French Colonial possessions. Nigeriens consider this date to be the founding of their nation. Between 18 December 1958 and 5 August 1964, Niger remained a semi-autonomous Republic within the French Community.

The 16th is celebrated in Niger with official festivals and appearances of political leaders, as well as public parties and festivities. The 50th anniversary celebrations were held in 2006, centered not in the capitol, but in the regional center of Tillabéry, and surrounded by sports, musical and arts competitions, the opening of new buildings, a National Youth Festival, and other public festivities.

Republic Day in other countries

• Albania: 11 January (1946)
• Armenia: 28 May (1918, see Democratic Republic of Armenia)
• Barbados: 30 November (2021)
• Burkina Faso: 11 December (1958, Upper Volta became an autonomous republic within the French Community)
• Central African Republic: 1 December (1958, became an autonomous republic within the French Community)
• East Germany: 7 October (1949, see Republic Day (East Germany))
• Gambia: 24 April (1970)
• Greece: 24 July (1974)
• Ghana: 1 July (1960)
• Guyana: 23 February (1970, also known as Mashramani)
• Iceland: 17 June (1944)
• India: 26 January (1950)
• Iran: 1 April (Islamic Republic Day)
• Iraq: 14 July
• Kenya: 12 December (1963, see Jamhuri Day)
• Lithuania: 15 May (1920, known as the Constituent Assembly Day)
• Maldives: 11 November (1968)
• Nepal: 28 May (2008)
• Niger: 18 December (1958)
• North Korea: 9 September (1948)
• Pakistan: 23 March (1956)
• Republic of the Congo: 28 November (1958)
• Sierra Leone: 27 April (1961)
• Sri Lanka: 22 May (1972)
• Tunisia: 25 July (1957)
• Turkey: 29 October (1923)
• Trinidad and Tobago: 24 September (1976)

See also

• National Day
• Public holiday