Independence Day (Lesotho)

Independence Day is a public holiday in Lesotho, and it is observed on October 4 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of when Lesotho gained its independence from the United Kingdom on October 4, 1966.

The Kingdom of Lesotho is an enclaved country surrounded by South Africa, and Lesotho was named Basutoland before its independence in 1966. The history of Lesotho can date back to the early 1800s, when Moshoeshoe I, the first king of Lesotho, established his clan defending attacks from the Zulu.

During the middle of the 19th century, Lesotho lost a great portion of its territory when fighting with the newly formed Boer republic, although it never suffered major military defeats. Lesotho became a British protectorate in 1868 and a Crown colony in 1884.

In 1910, the Union of South Africa was formed from the main British colonies without including the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basutoland, and Swaziland. Although provision was made after, this was never occurring. The possibility of incorporating these territories into South Africa also ended after South Africa's withdrawal from the Commonwealth in 1961.

On October 4, 1966, Basutoland declared independence and changed its name to Lesotho.

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

Please check more public holidays in Lesotho: