North Macedonia’s national holiday on 8 September, celebrating its 1991 referendum, is called Independence Day.
On 8 September 1991, citizens voted in a referendum supporting independence from Yugoslavia. The turnout was high, and an overwhelming majority of participating voters favored an independent state. Parliament later adopted a constitutional declaration confirming the result.
Independence Day is marked with official speeches, concerts, cultural performances, and public ceremonies. Skopje, the capital, is a central location for national events, while municipalities organize their own programs.
The holiday was known as the Day of the Republic during earlier periods of the country’s history. North Macedonia’s constitutional name changed in 2019 following the Prespa Agreement with Greece, but 8 September remains the national Independence Day.