National Day (Kiribati)

National Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Kiribati. It is observed on July 12 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the country's independence on this day in 1979.

Kiribati is an independent island nation in the central Pacific Ocean. People inhabited the islands thousands of years ago, and the first European contact occurred in the 17th century. Many people settled down on the islands following the passing of trade in the 19th century.

The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892, then a crown colony with the Ellice Islands from 1916 to 1975.

In 1974, a referendum was held to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and the Ellice Islands should have their administration. Following the referendum results, separate administrations were created for the Gilbert Islands and the Ellice Islands in 1976.

The Ellice Islands became the independent country of Tuvalu, and on July 12, 1979, the Gilbert Islands gained independence as the Republic of Kiribati.

The following is the list of National Day in Kiribati from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in the Republic of Kiribati: