Independence Day is a public holiday in São Tomé and Príncipe, and it is observed on July 12 each year. The holiday commemorates when São Tomé and Príncipe achieved independence from Portugal in 1975.
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, and the islands were not inhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese in 1470. In 1493, the Portuguese established the first settlement on the islands.
São Tomé and Príncipe became the world's largest sugarcane fields and producers of sugar in the 16th century, but the economy declined over the years due to the competition from sugar-producing colonies in the Western Hemisphere. In the early 19th century, Portuguese companies introduced coffee and coca, which soon became the main products because of the rich volcanic soils.
In the 1950s, influenced by the nations becoming independent in the African continent, people on the islands formed movements struggling for their nation's independence. On April 25, 1974, the military overthrew the Marcello Caetano dictatorship in Portugal, which initiated the decolonization of the Portuguese overseas colonies. São Tomé and Príncipe achieved independence on July 12, 1975, and Manuel Pinto da Costa became the first President.
The following is the list of Independence Day in São Tomé and Príncipe from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day | Jul 12, 2022 | Tuesday |
| Independence Day | Jul 12, 2023 | Wednesday |
| Independence Day | Jul 12, 2024 | Friday |
| Independence Day | Jul 12, 2025 | Saturday |
| Independence Day | Jul 12, 2026 | Sunday |
Please check more public holidays in São Tomé and Príncipe: