For the past several months I have crafted the diversity calendar for Diversity Central. This month, as I was compiling my data, I noticed something interesting. More than previously, I noted Independence Days, National Days, Liberation Days. It appeared as if April were a month for rebelling. In this month alone here are the countries which gained their independence:
- Senegal gained it’s independence from France in 1960, and this is commemorated on the 4th of April.
- On the 9th of April in 2008, Kosovo adopted its constitution after declaring its independence on February 17th.
- Also on the 9th is the commemoration of the Republic of Georgia’s declaration of restoration of independence from the Soviet Union on this day in 1991.
- On the 16th, Israel celebrates the establishment of its independent state and provisional government (date varies according to lunar calendar).
- Syria celebrates its independence from French occupation in 1946 on the 17th.
- On the 18th, Zimbabwe celebrates its independence from Great Britain on this day in 1980.
- Liberation Day in Italy takes place on the 25th, commemorating the day in 1945 when Italy was freed from Germany’s rule during WWII.
- Portugal also celebrates its Liberation Day on the 25th, remembering the overthrow of the dictatorship of Antonio Salazar in 1974 which reestablished democracy.
- Also on the 25th Egypt celebrates its liberation from Israel, which had occupied the Sinai peninsula since the Six-Day War in 1967.
- On the 27th, Sierra Leone celebrates gaining its independence from Great Britain in 1961.
Why do you think April was such a popular month for rebelling and gaining independence? Let us know!