Independence Day in Ivory Coast in 2025

Independence Day in Ivory Coast in 2025
  How long until Independence Day?
Independence Day
  Dates of Independence Day in Ivory Coast
2026 Ivory Coast Fri, Aug 7 National Holiday
2025 Ivory Coast Thu, Aug 7 National Holiday
2024 Ivory Coast Wed, Aug 7 National Holiday
2023 Ivory Coast Mon, Aug 7 National Holiday
2022 Aug 7, Aug 8
Ivory CoastMon, Aug 8National Holiday (in lieu)
Ivory CoastSun, Aug 7National Holiday
  Summary

Celebrates Côte d'Ivoire's independence from France on August 7th 1960

When is Ivory Coast Independence Day?

Independence Day is a public holiday in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) on August 7th.

This is the National Day of Ivory Coast and commemorates full independence from France on this day in 1960.

History of Ivory Coast Independence Day

Before the colonial age, most European contact with this part of West Africa was for trade in elephant ivory, which is how the region got its name.

In 1843, the French first established a protectorate over a few kingdoms in the region. With the so-called 'Scramble for Africa' at the end of the nineteenth century, Ivory Coast became a French colony in 1908, though local resistance to the European invaders was not quashed until 1915.

In 1946 with the establishment of the Fourth French Republic, Ivory Coast became an overseas territory of France with its own parliament and representation in the French national assembly.

In 1958, Ivory Coast became a self-governing autonomous republic within the French Community.

On July 11th 1960 France agreed to Ivory Coast becoming fully independent. Ivory Coast gained its full independence on August 7th 1960, with Félix Houphouët-Boigny becoming Ivory Coast's first president.

Did you know?

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is the largest church in the world.

President Houphouet-Boigny stayed in power for 33 years until his death in 1993, protecting Ivory Coast from the turbulence of regime change that marked out the years after independence for the other ex-French states.


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