When is Mozambique Independence Day?
Independence Day, also known in Portuguese as Dia da Independência Nacional, is a national holiday celebrated on June 25th.
It commemorates Mozambique's independence from Portugal on June 25th 1975.
History of Mozambique Independence Day
Mozambique lies on the southeastern coast of Africa. the Europeans first visited Mozambique during the voyages of the Portuguese explorer, Vasco Da Gama at the end of the fifteenth century. By 1530, Portugal had established a strong presence in the region effectively controlling the area.
By the middle of the twentieth century, Mozambique was still an overseas territory of Portugal, despite the movement towards independence from the colonial powers that was taking place elsewhere on the African continent.
In 1962 several anti-colonial groups combined to form the Front for the Mozambique Liberation (FRELIMO). In September 1964, they began an armed guerilla campaign against the Portuguese.
Together with similar armed movements in other Portuguese territories such as Angola and Guinea-Bissau, this led to the Portuguese Colonial War. The conflict lasted almost ten years. In 1974, the revolution in Portugal restored democracy to the country and led to a change in attitude over overseas territories such as Mozambique.
FRELIMO took control of Maputo, the capital, in April 1974 in a coup. Independence for Mozambique was officially declared just over a year later on June 25th 1975.
