Independence Day in Yemen marks the day in 1967 when South Yemen (then the People's Republic of South Yemen) gained full independence from British colonial rule after 128 years of occupation.

When is Independence Day?

Independence Day is observed annually on November 30.

The following is the list of Independence Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Day?

British forces occupied the port city of Aden in 1839, seeking a coaling station en route to India. Over time, Britain expanded its influence to surrounding territories, forming the Aden Colony (1937) and later the Protectorate of South Arabia.

For more than a century, Britain controlled southern Yemen, especially Aden, through a mix of direct colonial rule and indirect agreements with local tribal rulers.

By the 1950s and 60s, anti-colonial sentiment was rising, influenced by Arab nationalism and regional revolutions. Two key nationalist groups emerged:

1. The National Liberation Front (NLF) – Marxist-oriented and backed by Egypt
2. The Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY) – Pan-Arab nationalist

On October 14, 1963, a guerrilla uprising began in the Radfan mountains, launching the South Yemeni revolution against British rule. The insurgency escalated into urban warfare in Aden, and Britain struggled to maintain control.

Under increasing military and diplomatic pressure, and following heavy losses and unrest, Britain withdrew from South Yemen on November 30, 1967.

There was no formal handover ceremony. The National Liberation Front (NLF) took power and proclaimed the People's Republic of South Yemen, with Aden as its capital.

In 1970, the state was renamed the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) and adopted a Marxist-Leninist government. Independence Day is celebrated in southern Yemen as the culmination of the anti-colonial struggle.

After unification with North Yemen in 1990, Independence Day remained an important historical event in the south.