Kiribati National Day in 2025

When is National Day in Kiribati?

National Day is a public holiday in Kiribati and is generally observed on July 12th each year. It is the main holiday of a three-day holiday break. It is flanked by Gospel Day and National Culture and Senior Citizens Day. The specific dates of these holidays depend on what day of the week, July 12th falls on.

The day celebrates Kiribati gaining independence from the United Kingdom on July 12th 1979.

History of National day in Kiribati

European colonial interest in the islands wasn't the full-on invasion or conquest as seen in other parts of the world. Some Europeans just happened to end up on the islands, either living as beachcombers, traders or even castaways. One group was called the Gilberts who controlled several islands. They agreed to become a British protectorate at the end of the 19th century, and the islands became formally known as the Gilbert Islands.

Did you know?

Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, and western)

The relationship with Britain became more formal in the 20th century with the islands forming part of the crown colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

The Ellice Islands were separated from the colony in 1975 and became.part of Tuvalu in 1978. The following year, the Gilbert Islands gained their independence from the United Kingdom and changed its name to Kiribati. The name (pronounced 'Kiri-bas') doesn't hark back to any indigenous tradition, it is actually the local way that 'Gilbert' is said.