Independence Day (
colloquially the Fifteenth of August) is a holiday in Bahrain commemorating the declaration of independence from the
British Empire
The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts e ...
, which occurred on 15 August 1971.
The British announced the withdrawal of their troops
east of Suez
East of Suez is used in British military and political discussions in reference to interests beyond the European theatre, and east of the Suez Canal, and may or may not include the Middle East. in the early 1960s. Bahrain declared its independence on 15 August 1971,
marked by the signing of a
friendship treaty with the British that terminated previous agreements between the two sides.
Although 15 August is the actual date on which Bahrain gained its independence from the British, the kingdom does not officially mark that date. Instead, the state annually celebrates 16 December as
National Day, to coincide with the day that late emir (ruler)
Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa ascension to the throne. As such, 16 December is a national holiday and is usually celebrated with
firework displays. The celebration is usually held at the
Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain International Circuit ( ar, حلبة البحرين الدولية, Ḥalba al-Baḥrayn ad-Dawliyya) is a motorsport venue opened in 2004 and used for drag racing, GP2 Series (now FIA Formula 2), and the annual Formula One Bahrain ...
.
References
1971 establishments in Bahrain
Society of Bahrain
Recurring events established in 1971
December observances
August observances
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