Republic of Madagascar Day (30/12)

On December 30, Madagascar celebrates Republic Day in honor of the anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar in 1975.

In 1958, according to the Constitution of the fifth French Republic, Madagascar received the right of self-government under the name of the Malagasy Republic. On June 26, 1960, the country gained full independence.

From 1960 to May 1972, the Social Democratic Party was in power. Party leader – F. Tsiranana (Philibert Tsiranana, 1912-1978) – was the first President of Madagascar from 1959 to 1972. The Tsiranana government pursued a neo-colonialist course, focusing only on Western countries and handing over all important sectors of Madagascar's economy to foreign capital.

This policy caused discontent among the people, which grew into mass protest rallies in May 1972. As a result, Tsiranana was forced to give power to the military-civil government of General G. Ramanantsua (Gabriel Ramanantsoa, 1906-1978). Ramanantsua served as President and Prime Minister of Madagascar from 1972 to 1975.

From February to June 1975, full power in the country was exercised by the Military Directory. That same year, in December, the Referendum approved the «Charter of the Malagasy Socialist Revolution» and the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.

Since then, this memorable date has been celebrated by the residents of Madagascar as a national holiday – Republic Day. Various ceremonial events and folk festivals take place throughout the country on this day.

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