2021-04-26 Mon

Celebrated on 26th April, the Union Day in Tanzania commemorates the unification of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba into the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.

In the late 19th century Germany formed German East Africa. After Germany's defeat in the First World War, it was governed by the United Kingdom. The mainland was governed as Tanganyika, while the Zanzibar Archipelago was a separate protectorate, the Sultanate of Zanzibar.

The independence of Tanganyika was proclaimed in 1961. The Sultanate of Zanzibar was granted independence in 1963. In 1964, the Sultan was overthrown during the Zanzibar Revolution. The Sultanate was replaced by the communist People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba.

On April 26, 1966, Zanzibar merged with mainland Tanganyika. The new republic was originally called the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Six months later, it was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Republic of Tanzania issued the first currency in the year 1966 with the value of 5, 10, 20, and 100 shillings. The front of these banknotes is the same portraying the effigy of President Julius Kambarage Nyerere along with the coat of arms depicting male and female holding elephant tusks and flowers and a palm tree in the background. The reverse of the 100 shilling banknote depicts a Masai Morani herding cattle.

Image Courtesy: maendeleovijijini.blogspot.com