Republic Day in 2024

When is Somali Republic Day?

Republic Day is a public holiday in Somalia, observed on July 1st each year.

This is the National Day of Somalia and anniversary of the creation of the Somali Republic on this date in 1960.

History of Somali Republic Day

Located on the Horn of Africa, Somalia enjoyed its position off the Arabian Sea as an important centre for commerce for centuries.

In the late 19th century, during the so-called Scramble for Africa, the British and Italians established the colonies of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland.

With the defeat of Italy during the second world war, Italian Somaliland came under British Military Administration. In 1949, it became a United Nations trusteeship in 1949, the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian administration, with the proviso that the Italians would give independence to Somalia within ten years.

As part of the independence process, British Somaliland became the  State of Somaliland on June 26th 1960.

Five days later, on July 1st 1960, the State of Somaliland united with the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian Administration to form the Somali Republic, with Mogadishu as the nation's capital.

Flag of Somalia

The national flag of Somalia was adopted in 1954. The colours are different from others in the region in that the flag don't use the green, red and yellow of the pan-African movement. Instead, the blue and white are based on the UN flag, with the five-pointed star representing the five branches of the Somali race.