THE UNIVERSAL COMPENDIUM






World Constitutions and National Days

Nation Independence Constitution Date Last Constitutional 
Amendment		 National Day National
Day Date		 National Day Observance
Afghanistan  19 August 1919, from the UK  26 January 2004 (ratified)   Independence Day 19 August Independence from the UK (19 August 1919)
Akrotiri N/A (UK overseas territory) 16 August 1960 (Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960 effective)        
Albania  28 November 1912, from the Ottoman Empire 22 November 1998 (adopted)   Independence Day 28 Nov. Proclamation of independence from Ottoman rule (28 November 1912)
Algeria 5 July 1962, from France 22 November 1976 (effective) 12 November 2008 Revolution Day 1 Nov. Start of revolution against French rule (1 November 1954)
American Samoa N/A (US territory) 1 July 1967 (effective)   Flag Day 17 April US annexation (17 April 1900)
Andorra  1993, from France and Spain 28 April 1993 (effective)   Our Lady of Meritxell Day/
National Day		 8 Sept. Signing of first constitutional document (1278) and feast day of patron saint Jungfrau von Meritxell
Angola  11 November 1975, from Portugal 11 November 1975 26 August 1992  Independence Day 11 November Independence from Portugal (11 November 1975)
Anguilla N/A (UK overseas territory) 1 April 1982
(Anguilla Constitutional Order)		 1990 Anguilla Day 30 May Rebellion against unification with St Kitts and Nevis, and granting of self-governing status of the UK (30 May 1967)
Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981, from the UK[1] 1 November 1981   Independence Day 1 November Independence from the UK (1 November 1981)
Argentina  9 July 1816, from Spain 1 May 1853 22 August 1994 Revolution Day 25 May Declaration of independence
from Spanish viceroyalty (25 May 1810)
Armenia  21 September 1991, from the USSR 5 July 1995 (adopted) 27 November 2005 Independence Day 21 September Independence from the USSR (21 September 1991)
Aruba N/A (part of Kingdom of the Netherlands) 1 January 1986   Flag Day 18 March Flag adopted (18 March 1976)
Australia 1 January 1901, from the UK[1] 1 January 1901 (effective) 21 May 1977 Australia Day 26 January Proclamation of British sovereignty over eastern seaboard of New Holland (26 January 1788)
Austria 1955, from occupation by the Allies 11 October 1920 (multiple) National Day 26 October Passage of law on permanent neutrality (26 October 1955)
Azerbaijan 30 August 1991, from the USSR 12 November 1995 (adopted) 24 August 2002 Republic Day 28 May Founding of the Republic (28 May 1918)
Bahamas 10 July 1973, from the UK[1] 10 July 1973   Independence Day 10 July Independence from the UK (10 July 1973)
Bahrain  15 August 1971, from the UK 6 December 1973 14 February 2002 National Day 16-17 December Emergence from British protection (16 December 1971)
Bangladesh  16 December 1971, from West Pakistan 16 December 1972 (effective) 16 May 2004 Independence Day/
National Day		 26 March Independence declared from West Pakistan (26 March 1971)
Barbados 30 November 1966, from the UK[1] 30 November 1966   Independence Day 30 November Independence from the UK (30 November 1966)
Belarus  25 August 1991, from the USSR 15 March 1994 17 October 2004 Independence Day 3 July Minsk liberation from German troops (3 July 1944)
Belgium  4 October 1830, from the Netherlands  7 February 1831 26 March 2005 National Day 21 July Accession to the throne of King Leopold I (21 July 1831)
Belize 21 September 1981, from the UK[1] 21 September 1981 31 December 2001 Independence Day 21 September Independence from the UK (21 September 1981)
Benin  1 August 1960, from France 2 December 1990 (adopted)   Independence Day 1 August Independence from France (1 August 1960)
Bermuda
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
8 June 1968
2003
Bermuda Day
24 May
Start of summer
Bhutan  1907 (unified) 18 July 2008 (ratified)   National Day 17 December Accession of Ugyen Wangchuck, first hereditary king (17 December 1907)
Bolivia  6 August 1825, from Spain 2 February 1967 6 July 2005 Independence Day 6 August Independence from Spain (6 August 1825)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 March 1992, from Yugoslavia  14 December 1995 (Dayton Peace Accords signed)   National Day/
Statehood Day		 25 November Establishment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood (25 November 1943)
Botswana 30 September 1966, from the UK 30 September 1966 (effective) 8 August 2005 Botswana Day/
Independence Day		 30 September Independence from the UK (30 September 1966)
Brazil 7 September 1822, from Portugal 5 October 1988 3 March 2006 Independence Day 7 September Independence from Portugal (7 September 1822)
British Virgin Islands
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
[see UK]
 
Territory Day
1 July
Self-governing territory status granted (1 July 1956)
Brunei 1 January 1984, from the UK 29 September 1959 25 September 2004 National Day 23 February Independence from British protection (23 February 1984)
Bulgaria 22 September 1908, from the Ottoman Empire 12 July 1991 (adopted) 18 February 2005 Liberation Day 3 March Formation of first autonomous Bulgarian state (within Ottoman Empire, 3 March 1878)
Burkina Faso 5 August 1960, from France 11 June 1991 (adopted) 22 January 2002 Republic Day/
Independence Day		 11 December Granted status of independent republic (as Upper Volta, a French dependency, 11 December 1958)
Burundi 1 July 1962, from Belgium (UN trusteeship) 1 November 2004 (effective)   Independence Day/
National Day		 1 July Independence from Belgium (1 July 1962)
Cambodia 9 November 1953, from France 24 September 1993 8 July 2004 Independence Day 9 November Independence from France (9 November 1953)
Cameroon 1 January 1960, from France (UN trusteeship) 2 June 1972 (adopted) 18 January 1996 Republic Day/
National Day		 20 May Formation of Republic of Cameroon (20 May 1972)
Canada 1 July 1867, from the UK[1] 1 July 1867 (Constitution Act 1867); 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act 1982) 6 December 2001 Canada Day 1 July Independence from the UK (1 July 1867)
Cape Verde 5 July 1975, from Portugal 25 September 1992 23 November 1999 Independence Day 5 July Independence from Portugal (5 July 1975)
Cayman Islands
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
4 July 1972
 
Constitution Day
4 July
Constitution adopted (4 July 1972)
Central African Republic 13 August 1960, from France 27 December 2004 (effective)   Republic Day/
Independence Day		 1 December Proclamation of the Republic (1 December 1958)
Chad  11 August 1960, from France 31 March 1996 (approved) 6 June 2005 Independence Day 11 January[2] Independence from France (11 August 1960)
Chile  18 September 1810, from Spain  11 March 1981 (effective ) 19 August 2005 Independence Day 18 September Proclamation of independence from Spain (18 September 1810)
China  221 BC (unified) 4 December 1982 14 March 2004 National Day 1 October Anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China (1 October 1949)
Christmas Island
 N/A (non-self governing territory of Australia)
1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act of 1958-59)
1992
Australia Day
26 January
Proclamation of British sovereignty over eastern seaboard of New Holland (26 January 1788)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
 N/A (non-self governing territory of Australia)
23 November 1955
(Cocos [Keeling] Islands Act of 1955)
1992
Australia Day
26 January
Proclamation of British sovereignty over eastern seaboard of New Holland (26 January 1788)
Colombia  20 July 1810, from Spain 5 July 1991 27 July 2005 Independence Day 20 July Independence from Spain (20 July 1810)
Comoros  6 July 1975, from France 23 December 2001   Independence Day 6 July Independence from France (6 July 1975)
Cook Islands
N/A (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
4 August 1965
 
Constitution Day
First Monday in August
Self-government status granted (4 August 1965)
Costa Rica   15 September 1821, from Spain 7 November 1949 15 July 2003 Independence Day 15 September Independence from Spain (15 September 1821)
Côte d'Ivoire  7 August 1960, from France 23 July 2000 (approved)   Independence Day 7 August Independence from France (7 August 1960)
Croatia  25 June 1991, from Yugoslavia 22 December 1990 (adopted) 26 March 2001 Independence Day 8 October Croatian parliament voted for independence from Yugoslavia (8 October 1991)
Cuba 20 May 1902, from US administration 24 February 1976 26 June 2002 Triumph of the Revolution/
Liberation Day		 1 January End of the Batista military dictatorship (1 January 1959)
Cyprus  16 August 1960, from the UK 16 August 1960 28 December 1996 Independence Day 1 October Founding of the Republic (1 October 1960)
Czech Republic  1 January 1993, from Czechoslovakia 1 January 1993 (effective) 1 March 2003 Czech Founding Day/
Independence Day		 28 October Czech and Slovak independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire (28 October 1918)
Democratic Republic of the Congo 30 June 1960, from Belgium 18 February 2006   Independence Day 30 June Independence from Belgium (30 June 1960)
Denmark  c. 950 AD (unified) 5 June 1849 5 June 1953 Constitution Day[3] 5 June Signing of first constitution and declaration of Kingdom of Denmark (5 June 1849)
Dhekelia
 N/A (UK overseas territory) 16 August 1960 (Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960 effective)        
Djibouti  27 June 1977, from France 4 September 1992 (approved) 2 February 2006 Independence Day 27 June Independence from France (27 June 1977)
Dominica  3 November 1978, from the UK 3 November 1978 1984 Independence Day 3 November Independence from the UK (3 November 1978)
Dominican Republic 27 February 1844, from Haiti 28 November 1966 25 July 2002 Independence Day 27 February Independence from Haiti (27 February 1844)
East Timor 20 May 2002, from Indonesia 22 March 2002   Independence Day 28 November Independence from Portugal (28 November 1975)
Ecuador 24 May 1822, from Spain 10 August 1998 2 May 2002 Independence Day 10 August Start of independence movement (10 August 1809)
Egypt 28 February 1922, from the UK  11 September 1971 26 March 2007 Revolution Day 23 July Proclamation of the republic (23 July 1952)
El Salvador 15 September 1821, from Spain 20 December 1983 15 October 2003 Independence Day 15 September Independence from Spain (15 September 1821)
Equatorial Guinea 12 October 1968, from Spain 17 November 1991 (approved) 17 January 1998 Independence Day 12 October Independence from Spain (12 October 1968)
Eritrea 24 May 1993, from Ethiopia 24 May 1997 (adopted)   Independence Day 24 May Independence from Ethiopia (24 May 1993)
Estonia 20 August 1991 from the USSR 28 June 1992 (adopted) 14 September 2003 Independence Day 24 February Declaration of independence from Soviet Russia (24 February 1918)
Ethiopia Independent from early times 22 August 1995 (effective)   Derg Downfall Day 28 May Derg regime deposed (28 May 1991)
Falkland Islands
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
3 October 1985
1997 and 1998
Liberation Day
14 June
End of Argentine occupation (14 June 1982)
Faroe Islands
 N/A (part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
[see Denmark]
 
St Olav's Wake/
St Olav's Day
29 July
Feast day and death of St Olav (King Olav II, d. 29 July 1030), patron saint of Norway
Federated States of Micronesia  3 November 1986, from the USA (UN trusteeship) 10 May 1979 2 July 1992 Constitution Day 10 May New constitution adopted (10 May 1979)
Fiji  10 October 1970, from the UK 27 July 1998 (effective)   Independence Day Second Monday in October Independence from the UK (10 October 1970)
Finland  6 December 1917, from the Russian Empire 1 March 2000   Independence Day 6 December Declaration of independence from the Russian Empire (6 December 1917)
France 10 August 843 (unified as Western Francia) 4 October 1958 (effective) 1 March 2005 Fête de la Fédération 14 July Beginning of the French Revolution (14 July 1789)
French Guiana N/A (overseas department of France [see France]   [see France]    
French Polynesia N/A (overseas lands of France [see France]   [see France]    
Gabon  17 August 1960, from France 14 March 1991 (adopted) 19 August 2003 Independence Day 17 August Independence from France (17 August 1960)
Gambia 18 February 1965, from the UK 16 January 1997 (effective) 4 June 2001 Independence Day 18 February Independence from the UK (18 February 1965)
Georgia  9 April 1991, from the USSR 24 August 1995 (adopted) 27 December 1995 Independence Day 26 May Independence from Soviet Russia (26 May 1918)
Germany  18 January 1871 (unified) 23 May 1949 26 July 2002 Unity Day/
National Day		 3 October Reunification of East and West Germany (3 October 1990)
Ghana  6 March 1957, from the UK 7 January 1993 16 December 1996 Independence Day 6 March Independence from the UK (6 March 1957)
Gibraltar
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
2 January 2007 (effective)
 
National Day
10 September
Referendum held, Spanish control rejected (10 September 1967)
Greece  3 February 1830, from the Ottoman Empire
11 June 1975
April 2001
 Independence Day 25 March Start of the War of Independence (25 March 1821)
Greenland
 N/A (part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
[see Denmark]
 
National Day/
Flag Day/
Longest Day
21 June
National flag adopted (21 June 1985) and occurrence of longest day of the year (21 June)
Grenada 7 February 1974 from the UK[1] 7 February 1974 (effective) 19 July 1992 Independence Day 7 February Independence from the UK (7 February 1974)
Guadeloupe N/A (overseas department of France [see France]   [see France]    
Guam
 N/A (organised, unincorporated territory of the US)
1 August 1950 (Organic Act of Guam)
 
Discovery Day/
Magellan Day
First Monday in March
Discovery of Guam by Ferdinand Magellan (6 March 1521)
Guatemala  15 September 1821, from Spain 14 January 1986 (effective) 17 November 1993 Independence Day 15 September Independence from Spain (15 September 1821)
Guernsey
N/A (British crown dependency)
(Unwritten - statutes, common law and practices)
 
Liberation Day
9 May
Liberation from German occupation (9 May 1945)
Guinea  2 October 1958, from France 23 December 1990 12 June 2003 Independence Day 2 October Independence from France (2 October 1958)
Guinea-Bissau  10 September 1974, from Portugal  16 May 1984 9 June 1996 Independence Day 24 September Declaration of independence from Portugal (24 September 1973)
Guyana  26 May 1966, from the UK 6 October 1980 12 August 2003 Republic Day 23 February Independence from the UK (23 February 1970)
Haiti  1 January 1804, from France 29 March 1987 (approved)   Independence Day 1 January Declaration of independence from France (1 January 1804)
Honduras  15 September 1821, from Spain 20 January 1982 (effective) 4 May 2005 Independence Day 15 September Declaration of independence from Spain (15 September 1821)
Hong Kong
 N/A (special administrative region of China)
March 1990
(Basic Law charter approved)
 
[see China]
 
 
Hungary 1000 AD (founded) 20 August 1949 (effective) 1 January 2005 Saint Stephen's Day 20 August Crowning of King Stephen, Hungary's first king (20 August 1000)
Iceland 17 June 1944, from Denmark 17 June 1944 (effective) 1 July 1999 Independence Day 17 June Independence from Denmark (17 June 1944)
India 15 August 1947, from the UK 26 January 1950 20 January 2006 Republic Day 26 January First constitution adopted (26 January 1950)
Indonesia 27 December 1949, from the Netherlands 18 August 1945 10 August 2003 Independence Day 17 August Declaration of independence from the Netherlands (17 August 1945)
Iran Independent from early times 2-3 December 1979 31 June 1989 (revised) Islamic Republic Day 1 April Referendum held, Islamic Republic adopted (1 April 1979)
Iraq 3 October 1932, from League of Nations Mandate under British administration 15 October 2005 (ratified)   Republic Day 14 July Founding of the Republic (14 July 1958)
Ireland 6 December 1922, from the UK 29 December 1937 (effective) 24 June 2004 Saint Patrick's Day 17 March Death of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland (17 March 461)
Isle of Man
 N/A (British crown dependency)
Unwritten
  
Tynwald Day
5 July
Tynwald ceremony held at St John's, Tynwald Hill
Israel 14 May 1948, from League of Nations Mandate under British administration (No formal constitution)   Independence Day 14 May Independence from British control (14 May 1948)
Italy  17 March 1861 (unified) 1 January 1948 (effective) 30 May 2003 Republic Day 2 June Referendum held, Republic adopted (2 June 1946)
Jamaica 6 August 1962, from the UK[1] 6 August 1962 1999 Independence Day 6 August Independence from the UK (6 August 1962)
Japan Independent from early times 3 May 1947   Emperor's Birthday 23 December Birthday of Emperor Akihito (23 December 1933)
Jersey
 N/A (British crown dependency)
(Unwritten - statutes, common law and practices)
 
Liberation Day
9 May
Liberation from German occupation (9 May 1945)
Jordan 25 May 1946, from League of Nations Mandate under British administration 8 January 1952 9 January 1984 Independence Day 25 May Independence from British control (25 May 1946)
Kazakhstan 16 December 1991, from the USSR 30 August 1995 (adopted) 7 October 1998 Independence Day 16 December Independence from the USSR (16 December 1991)
Kenya 12 December 1963, from the UK 12 December 1963 July 2001 Independence Day 12 December Independence from the UK (12 December 1963)
Kiribati  12 July 1979, from the UK 12 July 1979   Independence Day 12 July Independence from the UK (12 July 1979)
Kosovo

17 February 2008, from Serbia

 15 June 2008 (effective)   Independence Day 17 February Independence from Serbia (17 February 2008)
Kuwait 19 June 1961, from the UK 11 November 1962 (approved) 16 May 2005 National Day 25 February Accession of Sheikh Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah (25 February 1950)
Kyrgyzstan 31 August 1991, from the USSR 5 May 1993 2 February 2003 Independence Day 31 August Independence from the USSR (31 August 1991)
Laos 19 July 1949, from France 14 August 1991 (promulgated) 6 May 2003 Republic Day/
National Day		 2 December Communist victory and end of monarchy (2 December 1975)
Latvia 21 August 1991, from the USSR 15 February 1922 3 January 2006 Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia 18 November Declaration of independence from Soviet Russia (8 November 1918)
Lebanon 22 November 1943, from League of Nations Mandate under French administration   23 May 1926 3 September 2004 Independence Day 22 November Independence from French control (22 November 1943)
Lesotho 4 October 1966, from the UK 2 April 1993 13 March 2001 Independence Day 4 October Independence from the UK (4 October 1966)
Liberia 26 July 1847, from the American Colonization Society 6 January 1986   Independence Day 26 July Declaration of independence from the American Colonization Society (26 July 1847)
Libya 24 December 1951, from UN trusteeship 11 December 1969 (Constitutional Proclamation) 2 March 1977 Revolution Day/
National Day		 1 September Overthrow of the monarchy and establishment of People’s
Arab Jamahiriyah (1 September 1969)
Liechtenstein  12 July 1806, from the Holy Roman Empire 5 October 1921 15 September 2003 National Day 15 August Prince's birthday
Lithuania  6 September 1991, from the USSR 25 October 1992 (adopted) 13 July 2004 Independence Day 16 February Declaration of independence from Soviet Russia (16 February 1918)
Luxembourg  19 April 1839, from the Netherlands 17 October 1868 19 November 2004 National Day/
Grand Duke's Birthday		 23 June Grand Duke's birthday
Macau
 N/A (special administrative region of China)
31 March 1993 (Basic Law charter approved)
 
[see China]
 
 
Macedonia  17 November 1991, from Yugoslavia 20 November 1991 (effective) 26 December 2003 Independence Day 8 September Referendum held, independence from Yugoslavia adopted (8 September 1991)
Madagascar  26 June 1960, from France 19 August 1992 (accepted) 8 April 1998 Independence Day 26 June Independence from France (26 June 1960)
Malawi  6 July 1964, from the UK 18 May 1994 30 November 2001 Republic Day 6 July Independence from the UK (6 July 1964)
Malaysia  31 August 1957, from the UK 31 August 1957 10 February 2005 National Day 31 August Independence from the UK (31 August 1957)
Maldives  26 July 1965, from the UK 7 August 2008 (ratified)   Independence Day 26 July Independence from the UK (26 July 1965)
Mali  22 September 1960, from France 12 January 1992 (adopted)   Independence Day 22 September Independence from France (22 September 1960)
Malta  21 September 1964, from the UK 21 September 1964 16 April 2003 a) Independence Day
b) Republic Day		 a) 21 September
b) 13 December		 a) Independence from the UK (21 September 1964)
b) Proclamation of the Republic (13 December 1974)
Marshall Islands  21 October 1986, from the USA (UN trusteeship) 1 May 1979   Constitution Day 1 May Proclamation of the Republic (1 May 1979) and formation of the Constitution (1 May 1979)
Martinique N/A (overseas department of France) [see France]   [see France]    
Mauritania  28 November 1960, from France 12 July 1991 25 June 2005 Independence Day 28 November Independence from France (28 November 1960)
Mauritius 
12 March 1968, from the UK
 12 March 1968 15 August 2003 Independence Day 12 March Independence from the UK (12 March 1968)
Mayotte N/A (departmental collectivity of France) [see France]   [see France]    
Mexico  27 September 1821, from Spain 5 February 1917 7 April 2006 Independence Day 16 September Declaration of independence from Spain (16 September 1810)
Moldova  27 August 1991, from the USSR 27 August 1994 (effective) 15 July 2004 Independence Day 27 August Independence from the USSR (27 August 1991)
Monaco  2 February 1861, from Sardinia 17 December 1962 2 April 2002 National Day 19 November Nationhood and feast day of St Rainier
Mongolia  11 July 1921, from China 12 February 1992 14 December 2000 Independence Day/
Revolution Day		 11 July Independence from China (11 July 1921)
Montenegro 3 June 2006, from Serbia and Montenegro 19 October 2007 (approved)   National Day 13 July Independence from Ottoman rule (13 July 1878)
Montserrat
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
19 December 1989 (effective)
 
Queen's Birthday
Second Saturday in June
Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II (originally, George V's)
Morocco  2 March 1956, from France 4 September 1992 (revised) 10 October 1996 Throne Day 30 July Accession of King Mohammed VI (30 July 1999)
Mozambique  25 June 1975, from Portugal 16 November 2004   Independence Day 25 June Independence from Portugal (25 June 1975)
Myanmar 4 January 1948, from the UK 3 January 1974 (defunct since 18 September 1988)   Independence Day 4 January Independence from the UK (4 January 1948)
Namibia  21 March 1990, from South Africa 21 March 1990 (effective) 24 December 1998 Independence Day 21 March Independence from South Africa (21 March 1990)
Nauru  31 January 1968 Australia, New Zealand and the
UK (UN trusteeship)		 31 January 1968 17 May 1968 Independence Day 31 January Independence from Australia, New Zealand and the
UK (31 January 1968)
Nepal 1768 (unified) 15 January 2007 (interim)   Republic Day 29 May Proclamation of the republic (29 May 2008)
Netherlands 1813, from France and unified  30 March 1814 9 April 2002 Queen's Day 30 April Birthday of Queen Juliana (30 April 1909) and accession of Queen Beatrix (30 April 1980)
New Zealand  26 September 1907, from the UK[1] Consists of The Constitution Act 1986 (effective 1 January 1987), and other legal documents [No single date] Waitangi Day 6 February Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (6 February 1840)
Nicaragua  15 September 1821, from Spain 9 January 1987 20 October 2005 Independence Day 15 September Independence from Spain (15 September 1821)
Niger  3 August 1960, from France 18 July 1999 9 July 2004 Republic Day 18 December Founding of the Republic (18 December 1958)
Nigeria  1 October 1960, from the UK 29 May 1999 (effective)   Independence Day/
National Day		 1 October Independence from the UK (1 October 1960)
Niue
N/A (self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand, 19 October 1974)
19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
 
Waitangi Day
 6 February Signing of the New Zealand Treaty of Waitangi (6 February 1840)
Norfolk Island
 N/A (territory of Australia)
Norfolk Island Act of 1979
2005
Bounty Day
8 June
Arrival of Pitcairn Islanders (8 June 1856)
North Korea 15 August 1945, from Japan 9 September 1948 (adopted) 5 September 1998 DPR of Korea  Founding Day 9 September Proclamation of Communist state (9 September 1948)
Northern Mariana Islands
 N/A (commonwealth in political union with the US) 
1 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, effective)
 
Commonwealth Day
8 January
Commonwealth government effective (8 January 1978)
Norway 7 June 1905, from Sweden 17 May 1814 27 June 2003 Constitution Day 17 May Declaration of independence from Sweden and new constitution signed (17 May 1814)
Oman 1650, from Portugal 6 November 1996   Birthday of Sultan Quaboos 19 November Birthday of Sultan Quaboos (19 November 1940)
Pakistan 14 August 1947, from the UK 12 April 1973 20 January 2004 Pakistan Day/
Republic Day		 23 March Passing of Pakistan Resolution (23 March 1940) and founding of the Republic (23 March 1956)
Palau 1 October 1994, from the USA (UN trusteeship) 1 January 1981 2 November 2004 Constitution Day 9 July Implementation of the Constitution (9 July 1979)
Panama 3 November 1903, from Colombia 11 October 1972 15 November 2004 Independence Day 3 November Independence from Colombia (3 November 1903)
Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975, from the UK[1] 16 September 1975 20 January 2004 Independence Day 16 September Independence from the UK (16 September 1975)
Paraguay 14 May 1811, from Spain 20 June 1992 (promulgated)   Independence Day 15 May Independence from Spain (14 May 1811)
Peru 28 July 1821, from Spain 31 December 1993 4 October 2005 Independence Day 28 July Independence from Spain (28 July 1821)
Philippines 4 July 1946, from the USA 11 February 1987 (effective)   Independence Day 12 June Independence from Spain (12 June 1898)
Pitcairn Islands
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
30 November 1838 (refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964)
 
Queen's Birthday
Second Saturday in June
Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II (originally, George V's)
Poland From Austrian, Russian and Prussian control, 11 November 1918 17 October 1997 (effective)   Constitution Day 3 May Democratic constitution adopted by the Sejm (3 May 1791)
Portugal 1143 AD (kingdom created) 2 April 1976 12 August 2005 Portugal Day/
Camões Day 		10 June Anniversary pf the death of the poet Luíz Vas de Camões (d. 10 June 1580)
Puerto Rico
 N/A (US territory with commonwealth status)
25 July 1952 (effective)
 
Puerto Rico Constitution Day
25 July
Change from territory to commonwealth (25 July 1952)
Qatar 3 September 1971, from the UK 9 June 2005 (effective)   Independence Day 3 September Independence from the UK (3 September 1971)
Republic of the Congo 15 August 1960, from France June 2002 (effective)  
Independence Day
13-16 August
 Independence from France (5 August 1960)
Romania 13 July 1878, from the Ottoman Empire 8 December 1991 19 October 2003 Unification Day 1 December Union of Transylvania, Basarabia, Bucovina, and
Cadrilater with the Romanian kingdom (1 December 1918)
Russia    24 August 1991, from the USSR 12 December 1993 (adopted) 6 June 2001 Russia Day/
Independence Day		 12 June Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation adopted (12 June 1990)
Rwanda   1 July 1962, from Belgium (UN trusteeship) 4 June 2003   Independence Day 1 July Independence from Belgium (1 July 1962)
Saint Barthélemy
 N/A (overseas collectivity of France)
[see France]
 
St Barthélemy Day
24 August
Feast day of St Barthélemy
Saint Helena
 N/A (UK overseas territory)
1 January 1989
 
Queen's Birthday
Second Saturday in June
Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II (originally, George V's)
Saint Martin
 N/A (overseas collectivity of France)
[see France]
 
Slavery Abolition Day
12 July
Slavery abolished (12 July 1848)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
 N/A (territorial collectivity of France)
[see France]
 
[see France]
 
 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  19 September 1983, from the UK[1] 19 September 1983   Independence Day 19 September Independence from the UK (19 September 1983)
Saint Lucia   22 February 1979, from the UK[1] 22 February 1979   Independence Day 22 February Independence from the UK (22 February 1979)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines   27 October 1979, from the UK[1] 27 October 1979   Independence Day 27 October Independence from the UK (27 October 1979)
Samoa   1 January 1962, from New Zealand (UN trusteeship) 1 January 1962 2 March 2001 Independence Day 1 June Independence from New Zealand (1 January 1962)
San Marino   301 AD (founded) Statutes, 1600; Declaration of Rights, 8 July 1974 26 February 2002 Founding of the Republic 3 September Founding of the Republic (3 September 301)
Sao Tome and Principe   12 July 1975, from Portugal 10 September 1990 (effective) 29 January 2003 Independence Day 12 July Independence from Portugal (12 July 1975)
Saudi Arabia   23 September 1932 (created) 1 March 1992 (Basic Law)   Saudi National Day/
Kingdom Unification Day 		23 September Unification of the kingdom (23 September 1932)
Senegal   4 April 1960, from France 7 January 2001 (adopted) 19 June 2003 Independence Day 4 April Independence from France (4 April 1960)
Serbia  5 June 2006, from Serbia and Montenegro 10 November 2006 (effective)   Statehood Day of the Republic 15 February Start of first Serbian
uprising against the Ottomans (14 February 1804)
Seychelles   29 June 1976, from the UK 18 June 1993 31 May 2000 Constitution Day/
National Day 		18 June New constitution approved and multiparty democracy implemented (18 June 1993)
Sierra Leone   27 April 1961, from the UK   1 October 1991 25 January 2002 Independence Day 27 April Independence from the UK (27 April 1961)
Singapore   9 August 1965, from Malaysian Federation 22 December 1965 19 April 2004 National Day/
Independence Day 		9 August Independence from Malaysian Federation (9 August 1965)
Slovakia   1 January 1993, from Czechoslovakia 1 January 1993 (effective) 26 May 2004 Constitution Day 1 September Constitution ratified (1 September 1992)
Slovenia   25 June 1991, from Yugoslavia 23 December 1991 (adopted) 15 June 2004 Independence Day/
Statehood Day		 25 June Independence from Yugoslavia (25 June 1991)
Solomon Islands   7 July 1978, from the UK[1] 7 July 1978 23 May 2001 Independence Day 7 July Independence from the UK (7 July 1978)
Somalia  1 July 1960, from Italy (UN trusteeship), and merged with in dependant British Somaliland 23 September 1979 (presidential approval)   Foundation of the Somali Republic 1 July Independence of Italian Somaliland from Italy and founding of the Republic (1 July 1960)
South Africa  31 May 1961, from the UK 4 February 1997 (effective) 19 March 2003 Freedom Day 27 April First non-racial and
non-discriminatory democratic elections (27 April 1994)
South Korea 15 August 1945, from Japan 17 July 1948 29 October 1987 Liberation Day 15 August Liberation from Japanese occupation (15 August 1945)
Spain   1492 (unified) 27 December 1978 (approved) 27 August 1992 National Day/
Día de la Hispanidad		 12 October Start of democracy in Spain (1492) and Columbus' arrival in the Americas (12 October 1492)
Sri Lanka   4 February 1948, from the UK 16 august 1978 (adopted) 25 September 2001 Independence Day 4 February Independence from the UK (4 February 1948)
Sudan 1 January 1956, from the UK 5 July 2005 (Interim National Constitution ratified)   Independence Day 1 January Independence from the UK and Egypt (1 January 1956)
Suriname   25 November 1975, from the Netherlands 30 October 1987 (effective) 1992 Independence Day 25 November Independence from the Netherlands (25 November 1975)
Svalbard
 N/A (territory of Norway)
[see Norway]
 
[see Norway]
 
 
Swaziland   6 September 1968, from the UK 8 February 2006 (effective)   Independence Day 6 September Independence from the UK (6 September 1968)
Sweden    6 June 1523   1 January 1975 (additional acts 1809, 1949, 1991) 27 November 2002 Swedish Flag Day/
National Day		 6 June Accession of King Gustavus I (6 June 1523), Constitution adopted (6 June 1809) and national flag adopted (6 June 1906)
Switzerland   1 August 1291 (founded) 1 January 2000 (effective) 27 November 2005 Confederation Day/
Swiss National Day		 1 August Founding of the Swiss Confederation (1 August 1291) 
Syria  

17 April 1946, from France (League of Nations mandate)

 13 March 1973 17 June 2000 Independence Day 17 April Independence from France (17 April 1946)
Taiwan
 N/A (Republic of China)
25 December 1946
7 June 2005
[see China]
 
 
Tajikistan   9 September 1991, from the USSR 6 November 1994 22 June 2003 Independence Day 9 September Independence from the USSR (9 September 1991)
Tanzania  26 April 1964 (unified) 26 April 1977 6 April 2005 Union Day 26 April Unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (26 April 1964)
Thailand   1238 (traditional founding) 24 August 2007   King's Birthday 5 December Birthday of King Rama IX (5 December 1927)
Togo  27 April 1960, from France (UN trusteeship) 27 September 1992 6 February 2005 Independence Day 27 April Independence from France (27 April 1960)
Tokelau
 N/A (territory of New Zealand)
Tokelau Islands Act of 1948
1970
Waitangi Day
6 February
Signing of the New Zealand Treaty of Waitangi (6 February 1840)
Tonga   4 June 1862, from the UK 4 November 1875 16 October 2003 Emancipation Day 4 June Independence from the UK (4 June 1970)
Trinidad and Tobago   31 August 1962, from the UK 1 August 1976 2 November 2000 Independence Day 31 August Independence from the UK (31 August 1962)
Tunisia   20 March 1956, from France  1 June 1959 13 May 2003 Independence Day 20 March Independence from France (20 March 1956)
Turkey   29 October 1923, from the Ottoman Empire 7 November 1982 21 June 2005 Republic Day 29 October Declaration of the Republic (29 October 1923)
Turkmenistan   27 October 1991, from the USSR 18 May 1992 15 August 2003 Independence Day 27 October Independence from the USSR (27 October 1991)
Turks and Caicos Islands
 N/A (overseas territory of the UK)
30 August 1976
14 August 2009 (Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2009)
Constitution Day
30 August
Constitution adopted (30 August 1976)
Tuvalu  1 October 1978, from the UK[1] 1 October 1978 November 2001 Independence Day 1 October Independence from the UK (1 October 1978)
Uganda   9 October 1962, from the UK 8 October 1995 18 August 2005 Independence Day 9 October Independence from the UK (9 October 1962) 
Ukraine   24 August 1991, from the USSR 28 June 1996 (adopted) 25 May 2006 Independence Day 24 August Independence from the USSR (24 August 1991)
United Arab Emirates   2 December 1971 (created) 2 December 1971 10 January 2004 National Day 2 December Formation of the UAE (2 December 1971)
United Kingdom  1 August 1801 (created) None (statutes, common law, practice)   [No specific day]    
United States of America 4 July 1776, from Britain 4 March 1789 (effective) 7 May 1992 Independence Day 4 July Independence from Britain (4 July 1776)
Uruguay 25 August 1828, from Brazil 15 February 1967 (effective) 31 October 2004 National Day/
Independence Day		 25 August Proclamation of independence from Brazil (25 August 1825)
Uzbekistan 1 September 1991, from the USSR 8 December 1992 (adopted) 24 April 2003 Independence Day 1 September Independence from the USSR (1 September 1991)
Vanuatu 30 July 1980, from France and the UK 30 July 1980 27 June 1983 Independence Day 30 July Independence from France and the UK (30 July 1980)
Vatican City 11 February 1929 22 February 2001
(Fundamental Law effective) 		  Anniversary of the Pope's Election 19 April Election of Pope Benedict XVI (19 April 2005)
Venezuela 5 July 1811, from Spain 30 December 1999   Independence Day 5 July Independence from Spain (5 July 1811)
Vietnam 2 September 1945, from France 15 April 1992 25 December 2001 President 2 September Independence from France (2 September 1945)
Virgin Islands
 N/A (territory of the USA)
22 July 1954 (Revised Organic Act)
 
Transfer Day
Last Monday in March
Purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark (31 March 1917)
Wallis and Futuna
 N/A (overseas territory of France)
[see France]
 
[see France]
 
 
Yemen 22 May 1990 (unified) 16 May 1990 27 April 2001 Unification Day 22 May Unification of North and South Yemen (22 May 1990)
Zambia 24 October 1964, from the UK 24 August 1991 28 May 1996 Independence Day 24 October Independence from the UK (24 October 1964)
Zimbabwe 18 April 1980, from the UK 21 December 1979 May 2000 Independence Day 18 April Independence from the UK (18 April 1980)


Notes

1. Independent with the status of dominion of the UK.
2. Moved to 11 January due to heavy rains.
3. Generally viewed as the national day as there is none designated officially.

Sources

Abbey, C. D., ed. Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, 4th ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics Inc., 2010.

Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA World Factbook 2010. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., 2009.

Dennis, M., ed. Encyclopedia of Holidays and Celebrations, 3 vols. New York: Facts on File Inc., 2006.

Dupont, J. The Common Law Abroad: Constitutional and Legal Legacy of the British Empire. Littleton, Colo.: F. B. Rothman Publications, 2001.

Fuller, L. K., ed. National Days/National Ways: Historical, Political, and Religious Celebrations Around the World. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers, 2004.

Kurian, G. T. Encyclopedia of the World’s Nations and Cultures, rev. ed. New York: Facts on File Inc., 2007.

Robbers, G., ed. Encyclopedia of World Constitutions, 3 vols. New York: Facts on File Inc., 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 



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