When is the Independence Day of Chad celebrated?
Chad, a landlocked nation in north-central Africa, celebrates its Independence Day every year on August 11 to commemorate its freedom from France, gained in 1960.
How is Independence Day celebrated in Chad?
Independence Day is a public holiday in Chad. The day honors the historic occasion of achieving freedom from France, after a long and bitter struggle. In Chad, many festivities mark the day. Political assemblies, speeches, and sports events such as football games, parades, music, and dance, are held and the Chadians celebrate their independence and patriotism in style.
What is the significance of Independence Day in Chad?
In 1913, France absorbed the Kingdoms of the Kanem-Bornu, Baguirmi, and Ouaddai, which were ruled by Sudanese conqueror Rabih al-Zubayr. These formed the colony of French Equatorial Africa and a region of Ubangi-Shari (Central African Republic). The battle between Rabih and the French troops over these kingdoms left Rabih dead, and the French reinstated the traditional sultanate of the Kanembu dynasty. They established a protectorate over modern-day Chad. Chad officially became a French colony in the 1920s.
World War II changed the political climate in France and in other parts of the world, and as part of the sweeping political changes, Chad became an overseas French territory in 1946. By 1957, some autonomy was granted to Chad, and in November 1958 it became a self-government territory within the French community. Two years later on August 11, 1960, Chad gained its full independence under the leadership of Francois Tombalbaye, who became the country’s first president.
What does the flag of Chad represent?
The flag of Chad was adopted in 1959. The flag design is influenced by the French tricolor flag and the Pan-African colors were adopted. Later, the flag was modified by replacing green with blue color. The present-day flag is made of three vertical stripes of equal size; the band to the hoist side is blue, the middle band is yellow and the one to the right is red.
The blue stripe represents the sky, hope, and waters of the country, the yellow stripe symbolizes the sun and the deserts of northern Chad; and the red strip epitomizes sacrifice and the blood shed by the heroes who fought for its freedom. The red strip of the flag also symbolizes unity, progress, and development of the country.
Who wrote the national anthem of Chad?
La Tchadienne, which means “People of Chad” was adopted as the country’s national anthem in 1960. It was written by Louis Gidrol, and the music of the anthem was composed by Paul Villard.