2019-10-24 Thu

Independence Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Zambia on October 24th each year. This holiday marks independence from the United Kingdom on this day in 1964 and is the National Holiday of Zambia.

Due to its land-locked location, Zambia was not visited by European settlers until the end of the nineteenth century. Previous contact with outsiders had been limited to a few Arab and Portuguese visits in the eighteenth century that had not ended in any lasting relationship. In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, the leader of the British South Africa Company (BSA Company), obtained mineral rights in the region.

Suppression of tribal rebellions and the discovery of copper deposits led to control of other areas in the region. These regions were administered as separate units until 1911 when they were merged to form Northern Rhodesia. Further, in 1923, the British Government took control.

The creation of the federation was especially resented in Northern Rhodesia leading to the rise of two nationalist parties. Following elections in 1962, the two parties joined forces to pass resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government.

On October 24th, 1964, the British colony of Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia and Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda became the inaugural president serving until 1991.

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