National Day (Guinea-Bissau)

National Day is a public holiday in Guinea-Bissau, and it is observed on September 24 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Guinea-Bissau declared its independence from Portugal in 1973.

Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. The territory was part of different empires in the past centuries. In the 16th century, the Portuguese established the trading posts along the rivers and the coast, but the interior territory still remained part of the Kingdoms. By the 19th century, the territory became the Portuguese colony with the name of Portuguese Guinea.

African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) was founded in 1956 with the aim of a peaceful campaign for independence, however, it turned to the armed conflict in the 1960s.

In January 1963, the guerrillas from the PAIGC attacked the Portuguese garrison, which marks the beginning of the Independent War. The Guinea-Bissau War of Independence lasted over 11 years. On September 24, 1973, the PAIGC unilaterally proclaimed independence.

After a series of diplomatic meetings, Portugal agreed to stop the war and officially recognize the Republic of Guinea-Bissau government in August 1974. Guinea-Bissau gained full independence on September 10, 1974.

The following is the list of National Day in Guinea-Bissau from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in Guinea-Bissau: