On 26th June, Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar celebrates independence from France in 1960.

Previously known as the Malagasy Republic, Madagascar was is an island country in the Indian Ocean. Beginning in the early 19th century, most of the island was united and ruled as the Kingdom of Madagascar by a series of Merina nobles. The monarchy ended in 1897 when the island was absorbed into the French colonial empire.

France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War. The French occupied the island till 1960. During the Second World War, Madagascar was occupied by the Nazis who had identified the island as a potential site for the deportation of Europe's Jews.

The occupation of France during the Second World War tarnished the prestige of the colonial administration in Madagascar and galvanized the growing independence movement, leading to the Malagasy Uprising of 1947. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on 14 October 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community.

A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on 26 June 1960. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Island of Madagascar, a special commemorative stamp was issued in the year 2010. The stamp was issued with the denomination of 300 Malagasy ariary that depicts national flag of Madagascar along with the map flanked by the number 50.

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