Benin National Day Date: August 1
National Day is a public holiday in Benin.
National day is a day on which a country celebrates marking its nationhood. The day can be either a day when the country gets independence, or can be a day, when a particular ruler, or kingdom gets to the throne or is removed. It can even be a day when the country gets republic. All the above mentioned criteria are enough for considering that day as a National Day. Though the Day might not be called a National Day, it is celebrated with the same feeling.
The National day of Benin, which is popularly known as the Republic of Benin, is celebrated on August 1. The country Benin is situated in the western part of the continent Africa. Its name comes from the water body on which it is lying. The name was changed from Dahomey to the Republic of Benin, after it got independence. The new name Benin was given for the sake of neutrality.
Benin National Day History
The history of Benin includes the succession of kingdoms and thus has been under the dependence of various countries. The rich wealth of the country was taken up by the kingdoms, which ruled here. Thus, turning the country and its people under the poverty line. It is not amongst the rich country. A major population of this country lives under the poverty line. The main reason of this is the successive domination of other countries and kingdom on this country.
In 1704, France was granted a permission to erect a fort in one of the cities of Benin. After few years, Portugal founded a city Benin. Then, it was given autonomy and was named “the colony of Dahomey and its dependences”. Following that, it became a part of the French West Africa. Finally, in 1958, Benin proclaimed Republic. On August 1, 1960, Benin formed an independent country. Thus, the day is celebrated as the National day of Benin.
Benin National Day Traditions and Activities
National day is a day of celebration for everyone starting from the people of government to those in opposition. None are left apart. The celebration includes ordinary people in a large scale. It also becomes a time when almost everyone thinks about the upcoming development and the past developments.
The stress is given on the developments that have taken place in the last few years of independence. And special interests are taken in displaying the developments under the government that is ruling. The debate in the speeches of the leaders of the government as well as of the opposition clearly reflects about the recent changes that takes place in the country.
The first Independence Day was celebrated in a major enthusiasm. The flag of France was replaced by the flag Of Benin, and was hoisted in public to show their freedom form France. Since then, this activity is always repeated on every National Day, to make all the people residing in the country feel that they are free and are not under the dominion of any country. National Day is one of the holidays, which is really celebrated in large scale in Benin.
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