Today is Independence Day in Madagascar, a public holiday. It is the National Day of Madagascar and marks the country’s independence from France in 1960.
In the early 19th century, Madagascar was united and ruled by the Merina dynasty as the Kingdom of Madagascar. Seen as a key strategic location by both France and Britain, France invaded Madagascar in 1883, eventually removing the monarchy and quashing resistance after a lengthy fight and imposing colonial rule in 1897.
During the second world war, the Vichy government of France unsuccessfully fought the British for the control of Madagascar. The actions of the French galvanised the growing call for independence, leading to the Malagasy Uprising of 1947. (commemorated on Martyrs’ Day on March 29th)
Though the uprising was subdued by the French, it forced the French to establish reformed institutions in 1956 and paved the way for Madagascar to move towards independence without the need for more violent insurrection.
The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14th 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. Soon after a constitution was adopted in 1959 and full independence as the Republic of Madagascar was gained on June 26th 1960.
Make allowances for those who are a little ‘slower’
Welcome to Scotland!
Today is the birthday, in 1961, of Terri Nunn, singer from American new wave band Berlin, who scored the 1986 UK & US No.1 single ‘Take My Breath Away’ which was featured in the 1986 film Top Gun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx51eegLTY8
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