Independence Day (Central African Republic)

Independence Day is a public holiday in the Central African Republic, and it is observed on August 13 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when the Central African Republic gained its independence from France on this day in 1960.

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in central Africa. Following the Scramble of Africa, the Europeans invaded the Central African territory in the late 19th century. In 1894, France seized and colonized Central African territory.

By 1920, the French incorporated it into the Federal of French Equatorial Africa. In the 1920s, the French introduced the policy of mandatory cotton cultivation and new forms of forced labor to build a network of roads, which caused thousands of construction workers' death.

Following the collapse of the French Fourth Republic, French Equatorial Africa was dissolved in 1958 after a referendum. The four constituent states (Gabon, Congo, the Central African Republic, and Chad) became autonomous members of the French Community on December 1, 1958. On August 13, 1960, the Central African Republic gained full independence from France. David Dacko became the first president.

The following is the list of Independence Day in the Central African Republic from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in Central African Republic: