Tanzania Independence Day — 9 December
Tanzania celebrates its Independence Day every year on 9 December, marking the events of 1961.
Make a Tanzania greeting card
Pick a message, then download the image and share it on WhatsApp or social media — free, no sign-up.
Why 9 December?
Tanzania's Independence Day, 9 December, marks the day in 1961 when Tanganyika became free of British administration, with Julius Nyerere — affectionately known as Mwalimu, 'the teacher' — as its leader. Independence was achieved peacefully through Nyerere's TANU movement, and exactly one year later, on 9 December 1962, Tanganyika became a republic; the holiday is formally Independence and Republic Day. In 1964 Tanganyika united with the island of Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania, and the modern flag — green and blue triangles divided by a black, gold-edged diagonal band — carries colours from both partners: green for the land and vegetation, blue for the Indian Ocean and the country's lakes and rivers, black for the people and gold for mineral wealth. The 9 December anniversary is a national public holiday featuring a parade and presidential address, often used to launch development projects in keeping with Nyerere's ideals of self-reliance. Union Day on 26 April separately commemorates the 1964 merger.
Learn what every colour and symbol means on the Tanzania flag page.
Quick facts
- Date
- 9 December (every year)
- Official name
- Independence Day
- Commemorates
- 1961
- Public holiday
- Yes, in Tanzania