Djibouti Independence Day

National Day in Djibouti takes place on 27 June, the anniversary of Djibouti’s declaring independence from France back in 1977. Sometimes, National Day is also called “Independence Day” in Djibouti.

The French first entered what is now Djibouti in 1862, and by 1894 they had taken over the entire territory and made it the colony of “French Somaliland”. In 1960, the neighboring colonies of British and Italian Somaliland gained independence and united to form modern Somalia. But Djibouti chose to remain with France.

In 1967, again Djibouti voted to remain under France, but this time with greater internal self-rule. Finally, in 1977, the people voted overwhelmingly for full independence but not for union with Somalia.

On National Day you will see store fronts decorated with painted-on flags of Djibouti, and there will be festive events all over the country.