Independence Day in the Republic of Niger is commemorated on 3 August, marking the nation's independence from France in 1960. Since 1975, it is also Arbor Day, as trees are planted across the nation to aid the fight against desertification.
| Independence Day Fête de l'Indépendance Fête tournante du 3 août Fête de l'Arbre | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Niger |
| Type | National |
| Celebrations | Festivals, Political addresses, Parades, Tree planting. |
| Date | 3 August |
| Next time | 3 August 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
Importance of date
editThe date of the formal, complete independence from France was 3 August 1960, while 18 December 1958 marks the founding of the Republic and creation of the Presidency of the Republic of Niger, following the constitutional changes of the French Fifth Republic, and the elections of 4 December 1958 held across The French Colonial possessions. Nigeriens consider that date to be the founding of their national institutions. Between 18 December 1958 and 3 August 1960, Niger remained a semi-autonomous Republic within the French Community. At the beginning of 1960 a revision of the French Community allowed membership of independent states, and on 28 July the Nigerien Legislative Assembly became the Nigerien National Assembly: Independence was declared on 3 August 1960.
Commemoration
editSince 1960, 3 August has been a national festival. In 1975, the government began celebrating Independence Day, in part, through the coordinated mass planting of trees in order to fight desertification.[1] The celebrations are also known as the Fête de l'Arbre.[2][3]
Independence Day is celebrated in Niger with official festivals and appearances of political leaders, an official broadcast by the President as well as the tradition (since 1975) that every Nigerien plant a tree. It is a public holiday, in which government offices and many businesses close.[4]
See also
edit- History of Niger
- Republic Day (Niger): 18 December
References
edit- ^ Editorial : le culte de l'exemple. Saidou Daoura, Editor, le Sahel (Niamey). 1 August 2011.
- ^ Le Niger célèbre mardi le 44ème anniversaire de son indépendance. Xinhua News. 4 August 2004.
- ^ Le Niger en lutte contre la désertification. Habibou Bangré, Afrik.com. 21 November 2005.
- ^ Participation de la chargée du bureau à la plantation d'arbre du 3 Août. Programme des Nations Unies pour le Développement Niger. 8 August 2007. Archived 2013-06-01 at the Wayback Machine
- James Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press/ Metuchen. NJ – London (1979) ISBN 0-8108-1229-0
- Finn Fuglestad. A History of Niger: 1850–1960. Cambridge University Press (1983) ISBN 0-521-25268-7