Independence Day in 2025

When is Tanzania Independence Day?

This public holiday is always celebrated on December 9th. The day celebrates the end of British rule in Tanganyika in 1961.

It is Tanzania's National Day, a day when the Tanzanian people mark their independence with speeches, parades and flags.

History of Tanzania Independence Day

The first European to visit Tanzania was Vasco da Gama in 1498. European colonialism in the region began on mainland Tanzania during the late 19th century when Germany formed German East Africa. Following World War I, the mainland came under British control and was ruled as Tanganyika, with Zanzibar remaining a separate colonial jurisdiction.

Did you know?

The Anglo-Zanzibar war was (probably) the shortest war in history. It took place on August 27th 1896 and lasted less than an hour but because of a lack of clocks, nobody is quite sure exactly how short it was.

The political movement within Tanzania began in 1954, with the creation of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), led by Julius Nyerere, whose main objective was sovereignty for Tanganyika.

British rule ended on December 9th 1961, with Julius Nyerere becoming the first prime minister. Tanganyika became a democratic republic a year later on December 9th 1962.

Following a revolution on Zanzibar in 1963, Zanzibar and Tanganyika merged on April 26th 1964 with the country renamed to Tanzania in October of that year.

Did you know?

'Tanzania' is a combination of 'Tan' from Tanganyika and 'Zan' from Zanzibar, reflecting the origin of the country.

Tanzanian Independence Day is celebrated with a presidential address, a military parade and performances by music groups at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

In 2015, the celebrations were replaced with a day of cleaning up as it was felt that spending money on celebrations was inappropriate given that Tanzania was in the grip of a Cholera epidemic.