Madagascar celebrates Independence Day on 26 June, commemorating independence from France in 1960.
Madagascar became independent on 26 June 1960 after a period as a French colony and overseas territory. The date is one of the country’s most important annual public holidays and is marked by national ceremonies, concerts, cultural performances, and community gatherings.
Antananarivo, the capital, hosts prominent celebrations, including public entertainment and official events. The national flag is widely displayed, and the holiday provides a setting for music, dance, and regional cultural traditions from across the island.
Madagascar also observes other historically significant dates. Martyrs’ Day on 29 March remembers the 1947 uprising and those killed during the subsequent repression. That event helped strengthen the independence movement, but it is not the date of national independence itself.