Independence Day of Guinea-Bissau — 24 September 🇬🇼
Today, 24 September, Guinea-Bissau marks Independence Day, its National Day. On this day in 1973, Guinea-Bissau unilaterally declared its independence from Portugal.
WAELE AFRICA Foundation congratulates the people of Guinea-Bissau on this historic milestone. We wish you continued peace, unity and prosperity as you build the next chapter of your nation.
A brief history
Guinea-Bissau’s story with Europe began in 1455 when Venetian explorer Alvise Cadamosto reached this part of West Africa on behalf of Portugal. The Portuguese established trading posts along the coast from the 16th century, but made little effort to control the interior until the 19th century. It was only in 1915 that the whole territory came under Portuguese rule. After being administered as part of the Portuguese Cape Verde Islands, it became the separate colony of Portuguese Guinea in 1879.
The journey to independence was led by Amilcar Cabral, who founded the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in 1956. After peaceful demands were met with force, the PAIGC launched a war of independence in 1963. By 1973, it controlled about two-thirds of the country and despite Cabral’s assassination in January 1973, Guinea-Bissau declared itself an independent republic on 24 September 1973.
The liberation struggle in Guinea-Bissau and other Portuguese territories contributed to the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in April 1974. The new Portuguese government then formally recognized Guinea-Bissau’s independence on 10 September 1974, with Luis Cabral, Amilcar Cabral’s brother, becoming the first president.
Did you know?
The capital name Bissau was added to the country’s name to distinguish it from nearby Guinea and Equatorial Guinea. And residents are called Bissau-Guineans, not Guinea-Bissauans.
Today we honour Guinea-Bissau’s courage, sacrifice and resilience, and celebrate its path toward peace, stability and development.
Feliz Dia da Independência, Guiné-Bissau!
#GuineaBissauIndependenceDay
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