Republic of Niger
)
, official_languages =
, languages_type = National languagesArbor Day
Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, dependi ...
, as trees are planted across the nation to aid the fight against desertification.
Importance of date
The date of the formal, complete independence from
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
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
The Fifth Republic (french: Cinquième République) is France's current republican system of government. It was established on 4 October 1958 by Charles de Gaulle under the Constitution of the Fifth Republic.. The Fifth Republic emerged from ...
, 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
Since 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.Editorial : le culte de l'exemple Saidou Daoura, Editor, le Sahel (Niamey). 2011-08-01. The celebrations are also known as the ''Fête de l'Arbre''.
Independence Day is celebrated in Niger with official festivals and appearances of political leaders, an official broadcast by the
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
* President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
as well as the tradition (since 1975) that every Nigerien plant a tree. It is a
public holiday
A public holiday, national holiday, or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year.
Sovereign nations and territories observe holidays based on events of significance to their history ...
History of Niger
This is the history of the Niger. See also the history of Africa and the history of West Africa.
Pre-historic Niger
Humans have lived in what is now the Niger from the earliest of times. 2 to 3.5 million-year-old Australopithecus bahrelghaza ...
*
Republic Day (Niger)
Republic Day, a national holiday in the Republic of Niger is commemorated on 18 December 1958.
Importance of date
Although not the date of formal, complete independence from France, 18 December marks the founding of the Republic and creation of ...
: 18 December
References
* James Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press/ Metuchen. NJ – London (1979)
* Finn Fuglestad. A History of Niger: 1850–1960. Cambridge University Press (1983) {{ISBN, 0-521-25268-7
Public holidays in NigerAugust observances
Niger
)
, official_languages =
, languages_type = National languages