What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Mexico's independence celebration is known as Grito de Dolores, or, the Cry of Dolores, and is celebrated on September 16. While this is not the date that any declaration was signed or war was won, it is the day that Catholic priest Don Miguel Hidalgo cried out a call to arms from the belltower of his church in the town of Dolores, triggering the beginning of the Mexican War for Independence against Spain. Mexico wouldn't become truly free for another 11 years, but Hidalgo is considered the father of free Mexico.
After more than a century under the brutal rule of the East India Company, and then direct British colonial rule for another century, India's fight for independence finally paid off. On August 15th, 1947, the British forces finally receded and India gained its sovereignty.
Araw ng Kalayaan, or the "Day of Freedom," has been celebrated every year on June 12 since the Philippines officially declared its independence from the Spanish empire in 1898, two years after the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe, declared its separation and independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, 11 years after the end of the Kosovo War. Much fuss was made by Serbia and its allies over Kosovo's declaration, but a court of the United Nations ruled that Kosovo's secession was legal, and the new nation has been internationally recognized ever since.
Like many ex-Soviet nations, Ukraine declared and gained its independence in 1991, just months before the official dissolution of the Soviet Union. On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian Declaration of Independence was officially issued.
The Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia celebrates its day of independence, known locally as Tujuhbelasan, or the "Seventeenth," every August 17. It was on this day in 1946 that the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read in Jakarta, and the fight began against their Dutch colonial rulers.
In 1991, the people of Armenia held a referendum and voted to claim their independence from the USSR. This bold move came shortly after the failed coup within Soviet leadership that aimed to depose Mikhail Gorbachev as General Secretary of the USSR, and only two months before the official dissolution of the USSR. Armenia has celebrated Independence Day on September 21 of every year since then.
The South American country of Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias on both the 28th and 29th of July. July 28 commemorates the day Peru won their war of independence against Spain in 1821, and July 29 is in honor of the Peruvian armed forces who helped secure the nation's sovereignty.
Albania celebrates Flag Day each year on November 28 to commemorate the day the Albanian flag was officially raised in 1912. This signaled the country's independence after centuries under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
Brazil celebrates its freedom from Portuguese rule on September 7th, ever since the year 1822 when Dom Pedro I broke away from his father's empire and declared the formation of the Empire of Brazil. Brazil also holds celebrations on November 15, to celebrate the birth of the Republic of Brazil in 1889, the day when Brazil was finally freed from the rule of the monarchy.
Fiji Day is celebrated on October 10 each year, and is the culmination of Fiji Week. October 10, 1970, was the day on which the Fiji islands regained their independence from the United Kingdom after almost a century of colonial rule.
When Bolivia was still under Spanish colonial control, the area was known as Charcas. After fighting off the Spanish forces, Bolivia officially declared its independence on August 6, 1825, and renamed itself after the legendary resistance fighter, Simon Bolivar.
After decades of harsh and violent oppression at the hands of the French colonial rulers, Madagascar finally wrestled back its independence from France on June 26, 1960. Every June 26 since, the island nation has celebrated with parades and feasts.
The European island nation of Ireland celebrates its Nation Day of Commemoration every year on the Sunday nearest to July 11. On this date in 1921, a treaty was signed to end the Irish War of Independence.
Jamhuri Day, or Republic Day, is celebrated by Kenyans on December 12. It marks the anniversary of the day in 1964 when Kenya officially became a republic, one and a half years after gaining independence from the United Kingdom.
Romania celebrates Great Union Day on December 1. This day marks the unification of Transylvania, Bessarabia, Bukovina, and the Romanian Kingdom in 1918.
Although Swiss National Day is celebrated on August 1st, which marks the anniversary of the formation of the Swiss Confederacy in 1291, it has only been an annual celebration since 1899. It wasn't declared an official holiday until 1994, but it has long been one of the European alpine country's largest national celebrations.
At the end of the Mozambican War of Independence, which raged on between Mozambican freedom fighters and the Portuguese colonial forces for 10 years, Mozambique declared itself a free republic for the first time after 400 years of colonial oppression.
Ngày Quốc Khánh, or National Day, is celebrated in Vietnam on September 2, marking the day when President Hồ Chí Minh read the Declarations of Independence of Vietnam aloud and in public in 1945. This marked the end of French and Japanese colonial rule in Vietnam.
Angola's fight for independence sparked widespread revolts throughout colonial Portugal. The Angolan War of Independence was long and horrific, lasting 13 years until a new Portuguese government came to power and announced its plans to immediately stop all military occupation. On November 11, 1975, Angola officially declared itself an independent state.
The small island nation of Sri Lanka, off the southwestern coast of India, gained independence in 1948 after a long and violent colonial rule imposed by the United Kingdom. Sri Lanka celebrates its independence on February 4 every year.
For centuries, Iceland was a territory of Denmark. A peaceful bid for independence took place in the mid-20th century, and Iceland officially became the Republic of Iceland on June 17, 1944, a day that is celebrated every year with parades and music.
After 300 years under the colonial control of the United Kingdom, Jamaica officially gained its independence on August 6, 1962. This was after decades of activists like Marcus Garvey fomenting black nationalism and labor movements all across the West Indies.
Cuba's road to independence was long and violent, with many steps back, although thankfully, more steps forward. The official holiday celebrating Cuba's independence is on October 10, marking the start of Cuba's war with Spain for independence in 1868.
Feasts, festivals, and parades are held across Benin on August 1, the date of the West African country's official cessation from French colonial rule in 1960.
Haiti gained independence through the only successful slave revolt in history, known as the Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791 and ended in 1804. This made Haiti the second independent nation in the Americas, second only to the United States. Haiti celebrates its independence on January 1.
Afghanistan won back its independence in 1919 after defeating British forces in the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The country had existed under British colonial rule since 1879. The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 was signed on August 19 and marked the official end of Britain's rule in Afghanistan.
After eight years of harsh and bloody war against the imperialist forces of France, the Algerian War for Independence came to an end on July 5, 1962.
Sources: (National Today) (ChartsBin) (Frommers)
See also: Revolutions and rebellions that shaped world history
After election disputes caused massive civil unrest in the Bengali-speaking province of East Pakistan, the Independence of Bangladesh was declared during the early hours of March 26, 1971. What followed was a harrowing war that resulted in the Bangladesh Genocide that same year. Eventually, with help from the Indian armed forces, Pakistan surrendered and Bangladesh preserved its independence.
Most countries on Earth, besides the most resilient of empires, have declared independence from a larger ruling faction at some point in time. In Europe, many countries gained independence through the dissolution of long-standing monarchies and empires. All around the world, nations that were subjected to decades if not centuries of colonial rule and oppression have fought for their liberation, freedom, and sovereignty. The French Revolution in particular, which took place at the end of the 18th century and freed France from monarchal rule, was seen as the blueprint for nearly every revolution that came after it.
Let's look at other independence movements around the world and the holidays that celebrate them.
Independence days around the world
Examining worldwide independence movements and their celebratory holidays
LIFESTYLE Freedom
Most countries on Earth, besides the most resilient of empires, have declared independence from a larger ruling faction at some point in time. In Europe, many countries gained independence through the dissolution of long-standing monarchies and empires. All around the world, nations that were subjected to decades if not centuries of colonial rule and oppression have fought for their liberation, freedom, and sovereignty. The French Revolution in particular, which took place at the end of the 18th century and freed France from monarchal rule, was seen as the blueprint for nearly every revolution that came after it.
Let's look at other independence movements around the world and the holidays that celebrate them.