Independence Day (Djibouti)

Independence Day is a public holiday in Djibouti, and it is observed on June 27 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Djibouti achieved its independence from France on June 27, 1977.

Djibouti is a country in the Horn of Africa. Remains found in the area indicated that people inhabited the territory since prehistory. In the late 19th century, European colonists began the Scramble for Africa after the Berlin Conference in 1884, and the region became French Somaliland in the late 19th century.

Before the independence of British Somaliland, a referendum was held in Djibouti to decide the fate of the territory, and the referendum results favored staying with France. A second referendum was held in 1967, and the results also supported a continued relationship with France. However, the two referendums were allegations of widespread vote-rigging, which resulted civil unrest in the 1960s.

In the 1970s, the struggles for independence made it France difficult to maintain the colony. As a result, a third referendum was held, and 98.8% of voters favored independence. On June 27, 1977, Djibouti declared its independence from France. Hassan Gouled Aptidon became the nation's first president.

The following is the list of Independence Day in Djibouti from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in Djibouti: