Independence Day in Jordan (25/05)

Every year on May 25, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan celebrates Independence Day (Eid al-Istiqlal). This is one of the most widely and widely celebrated public holidays in Jordan.

If the history of Jordan as an independent state is not so great, and begins in 1946, then the history of the lands on which this state of the Middle East is located has more than a thousand years of history.

The events described in the Old Testament, including the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and the arrival of the Promised Land, are inextricably linked with the lands on which Jordan is located today. Archaeological excavations suggest that the oldest tools discovered in these lands and indicating the development of agriculture date back to the period 8500-4500. BC. During the Late Bronze Age, these lands were under the influence of Egypt, and later, around 1200. BC. A significant part of the lands of modern Jordan (the countries of Moab and Ammon) became part of the Hebrew state. At the turn of the new era, these lands, together with adjacent territories, were part of the Nabataean civilization, the capital of which was the city of Petra (one of the main modern attractions of Jordan). Later, these lands became part of the Roman Empire as one of the provinces.

Byzantium had a further influence on Jordanian culture. During its heyday, Christian churches were built in modern Jordan, and the seed of Christian culture was thrown. During the era of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the crusaders formed a vassal territory east of the Jordan River, called Transjordan. After the fall of Jerusalem, Transjordan came under the rule of the Mamluk Sultanate and then became part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman period in Jordanian history lasted from 1517 to 1918.

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Jordan was part of the League of Nations mandate territories, and in 1922 the League of Nations transferred the mandate for these lands to Great Britain.

Jordanian Independence Day is associated with the events of 1946, when on May 25 the Principality of Transjordan gained independence and became known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan. The country was led by King Abdullah bin Hussein.

A year later, the Arab-Israeli war broke out, as a result of which Transjordan occupied land on the West Bank of the Jordan River. In April 1949, the country became known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This emphasized the fact that territories on both banks of the Jordan River became part of the country.

For Jordanians, the annual celebration of Independence Day – is pride in their country and people. All festive events held on this day in the country are aimed at emphasizing the importance of the historical event that occurred on May 25, 1946.

For Jordanian citizens, May 25 is a non-working day. The streets and squares of the cities are filled with people with Jordanian national flags. A parade is held in the Jordanian capital Amman, and the entire royal family takes part in the celebration. The king addresses the nation with congratulations, who himself receives congratulations from foreign guests at an official reception specially organized on the occasion of the holiday.

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