The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA wishes to congratulate the Government and the people of the Republic of Seychelles, on the occasion of 45th Independence Anniversary and wish the Government and the people of Seychelles continued Peace, stability, Unity Prosperity and economic growth.
Seychelles Independence Day, Marks the date when Seychelles gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1976. Also known as Republic Day, Independence Day is a public holiday in Seychelles on June 29th.
Until 2015, the National Day was celebrated on Constitution Day on June 18th, marking the adoption of the new constitution on that day in 1993.
Though the islands had been visited by settlers from Madagascar and Arab traders, they were first charted by Vasco da Gama in 1503, who named them the Admiral Islands in honour of himself.
Over the next 150 years, various European nations attempted to claim the islands, which was seen as an important staging post in the Indian Ocean. At the start of the Seven Years’ War in 1754, the French staked a claim on the islands. They went on to establish a colony on the main island, Mahé, in August 1770.
In April 1811, after taking control of other French colonies in the Indian Ocean, the British took control of Seychelles. Despite being taken over by the British and becoming an official British Crown Colony in 1903, Seychelles retained its French identity in terms of language and culture.