On this day, São Tomé and Príncipe Islands gained their independence from Portuguese colonialism
The Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the Central African countries that was gradually colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The island of São Tomé became a Portuguese colony in 1522, then followed by the Príncipe Island in 1573.
In 1952, a movement of exiled people was formed outside the country to demand independence as a result of the act of Portuguese landowners who were suppressing labor protests and killing hundreds of those labors. In the wake of the Portuguese revolution against dictatorship, the new Portuguese government granted autonomy to its colonies including São Tomé and Príncipe. Power was transferred to the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP) and the country gained its independence on July 12th, 1975.
