Republic Day marks the unification of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland into the Somali Republic, establishing Somalia as an independent, modern nation for the first time.

When is Republic Day?

Republic Day is celebrated every year on July 1.

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

The History of Republic Day?

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Somalia was divided by colonial powers: British Somaliland in the northwest (a British protectorate), and Italian Somaliland in the south (an Italian colony, later a UN Trust Territory).

Somali nationalists long sought unity and independence, with the vision of creating a single Somali nation.

On June 26, 1960, British Somaliland became independent as the short-lived State of Somaliland. It was recognized internationally as a sovereign nation.

On July 1, 1960, Italian Somaliland gained independence from Italy.

On July 1, 1960, the two territories united to form the Somali Republic. Mogadishu was declared the capital city. Aden Abdullah Osman Daar became the country's first president, elected by the new parliament.

The Somali flag, designed by Mohammed Awale Liban in 1954, was officially adopted. Its blue background honored the United Nations (which had overseen trusteeship), and its white five-pointed star symbolized unity across all Somali-inhabited regions (Somalia, Djibouti, Ogaden in Ethiopia, and the Northern Frontier District in Kenya).

While Independence Day highlights freedom from colonial powers, Republic Day emphasizes the union of the two Somali territories into one sovereign state.

It represents the birth of modern Somalia, marking the foundation of a republic governed by Somalis themselves.