Independence Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Zambia
Independence Day comes every 24 October in Zambia, the day it escaped out from under British rule back in 1964. The main event is a huge patriotic parade held in Lusaka, the capital city, but smaller events take place all over the country.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24 Oct | Tue | Independence Day |
| 2024 | 24 Oct | Thu | Independence Day |
| 2025 | 24 Oct | Fri | Independence Day |
| 2026 | 24 Oct | Sat | Independence Day |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
The colonisation of Zambia began in 1889, when the British South Africa Company was established in the region and claimed Zambia as a British protectorate based on a treaty with the Lozi tribe. Additionally, parts of east Zambia were conquered by force along with Malawi. British rule was indirect, since the company had the control over the region.
In the 1920’s, copper was discovered in Zambia, which led to an economic boom and the urbanisation of parts of the country. Smelting plants and the railroad led to immigration and a major copper industry existing in Zambia by the 1930’s.
After World War II, almost all of Britain’s colonial possessions were seeking independence. But due to the formation of a federation between the colonies of Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi) in 1953, independence was more complicated to achieve. Until the federation was dissolved, it looked as if Zambia could never become independent.
Finally, the federation was broken up and Zambia became an independent state on 24 October, 1964.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 Oct | Mon | Independence Day |
| 2021 | 24 Oct | Sun | Independence Day |
| 25 Oct | Mon | Independence Day Holiday | |
| 2020 | 24 Oct | Sat | Independence Day |
| 2019 | 24 Oct | Thu | Independence Day |
| 2018 | 24 Oct | Wed | Independence Day |
| 2017 | 24 Oct | Tue | Independence Day |