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Independence Day
São Tomé and Príncipe

Independence Day 2024, 2025 and 2026 in São Tomé and Príncipe

July 12 is Independence Day in São Tomé and Príncipe to commemorate the day in 1975 when the island-nation finally escaped Portuguese colonial domination.

YearDateDayHoliday
202412 JulFriIndependence Day
202512 JulSatIndependence Day
202612 JulSunIndependence Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

As Portugal circumnavigated Africa in the search of a water route to Asia, they discovered the island of São Tomé (Saint Thomas) in 1471 and the island of Príncipe (Prince) in 1472. Soon, they settled the islands, and they became a major trade and slaving base for centuries.

In the year 1960, a liberation force was founded in São Tomé and Príncipe, and the push for independence began in earnest. The conflict was tense, and Portugal was anything but cooperative. But finally, after a revolution succeeded in Portugal itself in 1974, the independence of São Tomé and Príncipe was recognised on 12 July 1975.

On Independence Day, the people of the two islands celebrate with patriotic parades, open air concerts, ethnic dancing, and a host of other festive activities.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202312 JulWedIndependence Day
202212 JulTueIndependence Day
202112 JulMonIndependence Day
202012 JulSunIndependence Day
201912 JulFriIndependence Day
201812 JulThuIndependence Day
201712 JulWedIndependence Day