June 29th Marks the date when Seychelles gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1976. Also known as Republic Day, Independence Day is a public holiday in Seychelles on June 29th. This is Seychelles' National Day and marks the day when the country gained its independence from Britain in 1976.

Though the islands had been visited by settlers from Madagascar and Arab traders, they were first charted by Vasco da Gama in 1503, who named them the Admiral Islands in honor of himself. Over the next 150 years, various European nations attempted to claim the island, which was seen as an important staging post in the Indian Ocean. In April 1811, after taking control of other French colonies in the Indian Ocean, the British took control of Seychelles.

The movement for independence began during the Second World War, but only really gained political momentum in the 1960s. Elections and conventions in the early 1970s brought the idea of independence to the forefront. After elections in 1974, when both political parties in Seychelles campaigned for independence, negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement under which Seychelles became an independent republic within the Commonwealth on June 29th, 1976.

The stamp shown above was issued right after independence. This Rs. 3.50 stamp shows the national flag of the country with the portrait of first president James Mancham.

Image Courtesy: http://commonwealthstampsopinion.blogspot.com

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