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Independence Day
Mali

Independence Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Mali

Mali observes its Independence Day on 22 September, marking its freedom from France that it gained on that date in 1960.

YearDateDayHoliday
202322 SepFriIndependence Day
202422 SepSunIndependence Day
202522 SepMonIndependence Day
202622 SepTueIndependence Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Mali has been inhabited for thousands of years, the north by Berbers and the south by Black African tribes. It was the centre of the famed Malian Empire, which was so famous for its wealth and trade in gold. Due to its distance from the sea, what is now Mali avoided domination by European colonisers for longer than most of Africa.

In 1892, however, France began to take control of Mali, and by 1905, they had a firm grasp on the region. At first, Mali was called “French Sudan”. Then it was called “The Sudanese Republic”. It gained the name Mali during a brief union with Senegal between 1959 and 1960 and has retained the name ever since.

In Mali, Independence Day is widely and exuberantly celebrated all over the country. There are many festive parades, concerts, dances, street performances, political speeches, and private barbecues. The activities in the capital city of Bamako are the largest and the centre of the celebrations.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202222 SepThuIndependence Day
202122 SepWedIndependence Day
202022 SepTueIndependence Day
201922 SepSunIndependence Day
201822 SepSatIndependence Day
201722 SepFriIndependence Day