Burundi Independence Day

Burundi is a landlocked region in central Africa. It was an independent kingdom until it became part of the colony of German East Africa, which included Burundi, Rwanda, and the mainland part of Tanzania, in the 1890s. After Germany's defeat in the First World War, control of the western part of German East Africa was ceded to Belgium under the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. In October 1924, Rwanda and Urundi became Belgian League of Nations mandate territories.

Despite the control of the two European powers, the monarchy in Burundi continued, and in 1959, Burundi's ruler, Mwami Mwambutsa IV, requested independence from Belgium and the dissolution of the Rwanda-Urundi union.

The country declared its independence on July 1, 1962, and changed its name from Rwanda-Urundi to Burundi. So Burundi became a constitutional monarchy with Mwami Mwambutsa IV as king. On September 18th, 1962, Burundi joined the United Nations.

Following independence, Burundi has had a turbulent history with coups, civil war, and genocide over the decades. The country has been peaceful since 2006, and Independence Day is seen as a day to show patriotism for Burundi but also to bring people together after the violent past.

Independence Day is an important anniversary for the Burundian people, and a public holiday is celebrated every year.