Conference of Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Serbia convenes in Belgrade

National Days

june, 2018

24junalldayalldayOF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM OF RHODES AND OF MALTANational Day: June 24th – St. John the Baptist

25junalldayalldayEMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIANational Day: June 25th – Statehood Day

25junalldayalldayEMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIANational Day: June 25th

28junalldayalldayRepublic of Serbia Public holidays – Kosovo Battle Remembrance Day, 28 JuneVidovdan- Kosovo Battle Remembrance Day, 28 June

30junalldayalldayEMBASSY OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGONational Day: June 30th – Independence Day

Event Details

EMBASSY OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

National Day: June 30th – Independence Day

Independence Day: June 30

Independence Day is a public holiday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Independence Day is celebrated on June 30 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). On June 30, 1960, DR Congo became independent, yet the people still struggle for full freedom today in an environment full of armed conflict.

History of Independence Day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In 1885, King Leopold II of Belgium acquired the rights for the territory of Congo and made the territory his own property. Over several decades, Leopold exploited the local population to make profits from local resources, particularly rubber. Roughly 10 million Congolese died as a result of exploitation and disease, prompting the international community to protest and condemn. Under international pressure, the Belgian government reluctantly took control of the territory from Leopold and ran it as an official colony of Belgium beginning in 1908.

Strong international pressure again fell on the Belgium government in the 1950s to reform its policy on the colony of Congo, especially with details of how the colony would transition to a self-governing state. At the same time, pseudo-political parties started sprouting up across Congo, all with the intention of promoting a free and independent Congo.

One of the most successful groups was Association des Bakongo (ABAKO), a cultural and political organization led by Joseph Kasa-Vubu. ABAKO lead the charge for calls of independence from Belgium. ABAKO wasn’t alone, however. Other organizations representing different ethnic groups as well as alumni groups and urban associations joined in the calls for independence.

Time

All Day (Saturday)

Calendar GoogleCal

Consular