Independence Day is a public holiday in Burkina Faso, and it is observed on August 5 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Burkina Faso gained its independence from France on this day in 1960.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. In the late 19th century, European colonists began the Scramble for Africa after the Berlin Conference in 1884. France invaded the territory and Burkina Faso became a French Protectorate in 1896.
The French originally administrated the territory together with Upper Senegal and Niger but separated as the French Upper Volta on March 1, 1919 to avoid the armed uprisings. In 1932, the new colony was dissolved and shared by the Ivory Coast, French Sudan, and the Colony of Niger.
France recreated the colony in 1947 with the boundaries in 1932. Following the collapse of the Fourth Republic, a referendum on the new constitution of France was held in 1958. The new French constitution gave options to its colonies either becoming part of the new French community with more autonomy or becoming an independent country.
As a result, the territory achieved self-government on December 11, 1958, and established the Republic of Upper Volta within the French Community. On August 5, 1960, Burkina Faso gained full independence from France.
The following is the list of Independence Day in Burkina Faso from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day | Aug 05, 2022 | Friday |
| Independence Day | Aug 05, 2023 | Saturday |
| Independence Day | Aug 05, 2024 | Monday |
| Independence Day | Aug 05, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Independence Day | Aug 05, 2026 | Wednesday |
Please check more public holidays in Burkina Faso: