Timeline of national independence
This list includes currently extant sovereign states (list) and states with limited recognition that have declared independence from a predecessor state or an occupying power. Various states have never declared independence throughout their formations and hence are not included in the list, including states that were formed by the unification of multiple independent states, such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Tanzania, including states that did declare independence, but whose most recent establishment was through other means, such as Haiti, which declared independence from France in 1804, but split into two states in 1806 and was reunified in 1820. The list does not include duplicated entries for states that have declared independence multiple times, only using the most recent one. Subnational entities are usually not included in the list. Some of these dates of independence might be disputed. Entries in the "events" table are written in the present tense.
Before 19th century[edit]
Date | Previous entity | Newly independent entity | Event |
---|---|---|---|
September 3, 301 | Roman Empire | San Marino | Traditionally given date |
749 | Abbasid Caliphate | Oman | Subject to Abbasid vassalage for short periods |
August 10, 843 | Carolingian Empire | France | Treaty of Verdun, splitting the Frankish Empire into three states, one of which became France. |
c. 950 | Tui Manu'a Empire | Tonga | |
July 27, 1139 | Leon | Portugal | In personal union with, and effective satellite state of, Spain between 1580 and 1640 |
November 5, 1271 | Mongol Empire | China | Independent Chinese state reestablished with the collapse of the Mongol Empire. Earliest foundation of China disputed, but begins with either the Xia or Shang Dynasty |
February 8, 1649 | Holy Roman Empire | Switzerland | Separated from Imperial sovereignty by the Peace of Westphalia |
July 1747 | Persia | Afghanistan | Independent as the Durrani Empire, subject to British protectorate from 1880-1919. |
1616 | Tibet | Bhutan | Subject to British protectorate from 1865-1947, and Indian protectorate from 1947-1971. |
19th century to World War I[edit]
Year | Previous entity | Newly independent entity | Event |
---|---|---|---|
February 12, 1818 | Spain | Chile | Independence restored after Spanish reconquest |
May 23, 1810 | Spain | Argentina | |
May 14, 1811 | Spain | Paraguay | Independence not formally declared until 1842. |
November 20, 1813 | France | Netherlands | Independence restored after French rule. Initial independence from Spain in 1581 as the Dutch Republic. |
November 4, 1813 | Confederation of the Rhine | Liechtenstein | Confederation of the Rhine dissolved. |
May 30, 1814 | France | Monaco | Independence restored after French rule. Initial independence from Genoa in 1297, interrupted by multiple Genoese occupations. |
May 30, 1814 | France | Andorra | Independence restored after French rule. Initial independence from Urgell in 1278. |
September 28, 1821 | Spain | Mexico | |
January 4, 1822 | Ottoman Empire | Greece | |
September 7, 1822 | Portugal | Brazil | |
October 4, 1828 | Brazil | Uruguay | |
October 4, 1830 | Netherlands | Belgium | |
November 19, 1832 | Gran Colombia | Colombia | Dissolution of Gran Colombia. Initially named Republic of New Granada. |
November 19, 1832 | Gran Colombia | Venezuela | Dissolution of Gran Colombia. Restoration of Independence, first established in 1811. |
November 19, 1832 | Gran Colombia | Ecuador | Dissolution of Gran Colombia. |
November 15, 1838 | Federal Republic of Central America | Costa Rica | |
August 25, 1839 | Peru-Bolivia Confederation | Peru | Restoration of Independence, first proclaimed in 1821. |
August 25, 1839 | Peru-Bolivia Confederation | Bolivia | Restoration of Independence, first proclaimed in 1825. |
June 19, 1839 | Belgium | Luxembourg | Grand Duchy re-established by the Treaty of London in personal union with the Netherlands (until 1890). |
July 26, 1847 | United States | Liberia | |
May 1, 1865 | Spain | Dominican Republic | Independence restored after period of Spanish rule. Independence initially declared from Spain in 1821 as the Republic of Spanish Haiti, and from Haiti in 1844 with the current name. |
July 1, 1867 | United Kingdom | Canada | Britain continued to exercise some level of control until the Statute of Westminster. |
March 17, 1878 | Ottoman Empire | Bulgaria | Under Ottoman vassalage until 1908. |
November 29, 1898 | Greater Republic of Central America | Nicaragua | Independence restored after the dissolution of the Greater Republic of Central America, initial independence in 1838. |
January 1, 1901 | United Kingdom | Australia | Britain continued to exercise some level of control until the Statute of Westminster. |
May 20, 1902 | United States | Cuba | United States retained Isla de Pinos until 1925. |
November 4, 1903 | Colombia | Panama | |
June 7, 1905 | Sweden | Norway | Independence restored after Danish and Swedish rule. Initial establishment around 872. |
September 26, 1907 | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Britain continued to exercise some level of control until the Statute of Westminster. |
May 3, 1910 | United Kingdom | South Africa | Britain continued to exercise some level of control until the Statute of Westminster. |
Interwar period[edit]
Year | Previous entity | Newly independent entity | Event |
---|---|---|---|
December 6, 1917 | Russia | Finland | |
October 17, 1918 | Austria Hungary | Hungary | Independence restored with the dissolution of Austria-Hungary. Initial establishment in 895. Stayed in personal union with Austria until November 16. |
December 1, 1918 | Denmark | Iceland | In personal union with Denmark until 1944. |
February 15, 1921 | China | Mongolia | Independence restored after Chinese occupation. Initial independence delcared in 1911, first Mongolian state founded 1203 |
January 14, 1922 | Central American Federation | Guatemala | Independence restored after brief attempt at reunifying Central America, initial independence in 1839. |
January 14, 1922 | Central American Federation | Honduras | Independence restored after brief attempt at reunifying Central America, initial independence in 1838. |
January 14, 1922 | Central American Federation | El Salvador | Independence restored after brief attempt at reunifying Central America, initial independence in 1841. |
March 15, 1922 | United Kingdom | Egypt | Independence restored after a period of British rule. Initial establishment around 3150 BC. |
December 6, 1922 | United Kingdom | Ireland | Independence restored after direct British rule. In personal union with Britain until 1937. Initial establishment of first state called Ireland in 1177. |
June 7, 1929 | Italy | Vatican City | Established by the Lateran Treaty |
October 3, 1932 | United Kingdom | Iraq | Formerly a League of Nations mandate. |
May 5, 1941 | Italy | Ethiopia | Independence restored after Italian occupation. Initially established in 1270. |
December 22, 1943 | France | Lebanon | Formerly a League of Nations mandate. |
December 22, 1943 | France | Syria | Formerly a League of Nations mandate. |
July 22, 1944 | Germany | Poland | Independence restored after German occupation. Initial establishment c. 960. |
October 22, 1944 | Germany | Albania | Independence restored after German occupation. Initial independence in 1912. |
April 27, 1945 | Germany | Austria | Independence restored after German occupation. Initial establishment in 970 within the Holy Roman Empire. |
August 17, 1945 | Netherlands | Indonesia |
Cold War[edit]
Year | Previous entity | Newly independent entity | Event |
---|---|---|---|
June 17, 1946 | United Kingdom | Jordan | Previously a League of Nations Mandate |
July 4, 1946 | United States | Philippines | Restoration of Independence after American rule.. Initial declaration of independence in 1897 |
August 15, 1947 | United Kingdom | India | |
August 15, 1947 | United Kingdom | Pakistan | |
January 4, 1948 | United Kingdom | Burma | Independence restored after British rule. Initial establishment in 849 Name changed to Myanmar in 1989. |
February 4, 1948 | United Kingdom | Ceylon | Renamed Sri Lanka in 1972. |
August 15, 1948 | United States | South Korea | |
September 8, 1948 | Soviet Union | North Korea | |
May 14, 1948 | United Kingdom | Israel | Previously a Leage of Nations mandate. Partially unrecognized. |
December 24, 1951 | United Kingdom and France | Libya | |
November 9, 1953 | France | Cambodia | Independence restored after French protectorate status. Initial establishment in 802 |
October 22, 1953 | France | Laos | |
January 1, 1956 | United Kingdom and Egypt | Sudan | |
March 20, 1956 | France | Tunisia | Independence restored after period as a French protectorate. Initial independence in 1705 |
March 6, 1957 | United Kingdom | Ghana | |
August 14, 1957 | France | Morocco | Independence restored after French protectorate. Initial founding in 788. |
August 31,1957 | United Kingdom | Malaya | Name changed to Malaysia in 1963. |
October 2, 1958 | France | Guinea | |
January 1, 1960 | France | Cameroon | |
April 27, 1960 | France | Togo | |
June 20, 1960 | France | Mali | |
June 26, 1960 | France | Madagascar | |
June 30, 1960 | Belgium | Congo-Leopoldville | Named Zaire from 1971-1997. Now known as Democratic Republic of the Congo or Congo-Kinshasa. |
July 1, 1960 | Italy | Somalia | |
July 31, 1960 | France | Dahomey | Renamed to Benin in 1975. |
August 5, 1960 | France | Upper Volta | Renamed to Burkina Faso in 1984. |
August 8, 1960 | France | Niger | |
August 7, 1960 | France | Ivory Coast | |
August 11, 1960 | France | Chad | |
August 13, 1960 | France | Central African Republic | Central African Empire from 1976-1979. |
August 15, 1960 | France | Congo-Brazzaville | |
August 16, 1960 | United Kingdom | Cyprus | |
August 17, 1960 | France | Gabon | |
August 20, 1960 | Mali | Senegal | |
November 28, 1960 | France | Mauritania | |
October 1, 1960 | United Kingdom | Nigeria | |
April 27, 1961 | United Kingdom | Sierra Leone | |
June 19, 1961 | United Kingdom | Kuwait | Independence restored after period of British protectorate. Initial independence in 1752. |
January 1, 1962 | New Zealand | Samoa | Independence restored after German and New Zealand rule. Initial independence c. 1300. |
July 1, 1962 | Belgium | Rwanda | Independence restored after German and Belgian protectorate. Initial establishment around the 12th century. |
July 1, 1962 | Belgium | Burundi | Independence restored after German and Belgian protectorate. Initial establishment c. 1680. |
July 5, 1962 | France | Algeria | Independence restored after French colonial rule. Initial founding in 1516 |
August 6, 1962 | United Kingdom | Jamaica | |
August 31, 1962 | United Kingdom | Trinidad and Tobago | |
October 9, 1962 | United Kingdom | Uganda | |
November 12, 1963 | United Kingdom | Kenya | |
July 6, 1964 | United Kingdom | Malawi | |
September 21, 1964 | United Kingdom | Malta | Independence restored after French and British rule. Initial independence in 1520 |
October 24, 1964 | United Kingdom | Zambia | |
February 18, 1965 | United Kingdom | The Gambia | |
July 26, 1965 | United Kingdom | Maldives | Independence restored after British protectorate. Initial establishment before 1117. |
August 4, 1965 | New Zealand | Cook Islands | Partially unrecognized. |
August 9, 1965 | Malaysia | Singapore | |
May 26, 1966 | United Kingdom | Guyana | |
September 30, 1966 | United Kingdom | Botswana | |
October 4, 1966 | United Kingdom | Lesotho | Independence restored after period of British protectorate. Initial establishment around 1822. |
January 31, 1968 | Australia | Nauru | |
November 30, 1962 | United Kingdom | Barbados | |
March 12, 1968 | United Kingdom | Mauritius | |
September 6, 1968 | United Kingdom | Eswatini | Restoration of independence after British protectorate, initial establishment around 1745. Name changed to Eswatini in 2018. |
October 12, 1968 | Spain | Equatorial Guinea | |
October 10, 1970 | United Kingdom | Fiji | Restoration of independence after British colonial rule. Initial founding in 1871. |
August 15, 1971 | United Kingdom | Bahrain | Independence restored after British protectorate. Initial independence in 1783. |
September 3, 1971 | United Kingdom | Qatar | Independence restored after British protectorate. Initial independence in 1868. |
December 2, 1971 | United Kingdom | United Arab Emirates | |
December 16, 1971 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | |
July 10, 1973 | United Kingdom | The Bahamas | |
September 24, 1973 | Portugal | Guinea-Bissau | |
February 7, 1972 | United Kingdom | Grenada | |
October 19, 1974 | New Zealand | Niue | Independence restored after British and New Zealand rule. Initial establishment before 1887. Partially unrecognized. |
June 25, 1975 | Portugal | Mozambique | |
July 5, 1975 | Portugal | Cape Verde | |
July 6, 1975 | France | Comoros | |
July 12, 1975 | Portugal | Sao Tome and Principe | |
September 16, 1975 | Australia | Papua New Guinea | |
November 11, 1975 | Portugal | Angola | |
November 25, 1975 | Netherlands | Suriname | |
February 27, 1976 | Spain | Western Sahara | Partially unrecognized. |
June 29, 1976 | United Kingdom | Seychelles | |
June 27, 1977 | France | Djibouti | |
July 7, 1978 | United Kingdom | Solomon Islands | |
October 1, 1978 | United Kingdom | Tuvalu | |
November 3, 1978 | United Kingdom | Dominica | |
February 22, 1979 | United Kingdom | Saint Lucia | |
July 12, 1979 | United Kingdom | Kiribati | |
October 27, 1979 | United Kingdom | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | |
April 18, 1980 | United Kingdom | Zimbabwe | Restoration of independence after a brief return to British rule after the Rhodesian Bush War. Initial independence in 1965 as Rhodesia. |
July 7, 1980 | United Kingdom and France | Vanuatu | |
September 21, 1981 | United Kingdom | Belize | |
November 1, 1981 | United Kingdom | Antigua and Barbuda | |
September 19, 1983 | United Kingdom | Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
November 15, 1983 | Cyprus | Northern Cyprus | Largely unrecognized. |
January 1, 1984 | United Kingdom | Brunei | Independence restored after British protectorate. Initial establishment in 1368. |
March 11, 1990 | Soviet Union | Lithuania | Independence restored after Russian and Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1236. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
March 21, 1990 | South Africa | Namibia | |
May 4, 1990 | Soviet Union | Latvia | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1918. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
December 22, 1990 | United States | Marshall Islands | |
December 22, 1990 | United States | Micronesia | |
April 9, 1991 | Soviet Union | Georgia | Independence restored after Russian and Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1008. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
May 18, 1991 | Somalia | Somaliland | Independence restored after union with Somalia. Initial independence in 1960. Unrecognized. |
May 29, 1991 | Ethiopia | Eritrea | |
June 25, 1991 | Yugoslavia | Slovenia | |
June 25, 1991 | SFR Yugoslavia | Croatia | Independence restored after Habsburg and Yugoslav rule. Initial independence in the 6th century. |
August 20, 1991 | Soviet Union | Estonia | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1918. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
August 24, 1991 | Soviet Union | Ukraine | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1917. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
August 27, 1991 | Soviet Union | Moldova | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1917. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
August 30, 1991 | Soviet Union | Azerbaijan | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1918. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
August 31, 1991 | Soviet Union | Uzbekistan | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
August 31, 1991 | Soviet Union | Kyrgyzstan | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
September 9, 1991 | Soviet Union | Tajikistan | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
September 17, 1991 | Yugoslavia | Macedonia | Name changed to North Macedonia in 2019. |
October 27, 1991 | Soviet Union | Turkmenistan | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
November 5, 1991 | Soviet Union | Transnistria | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. Largely unrecognized. |
November 23, 1991 | Soviet Union | Armenia | Independence restored after Russian and Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 331 BC. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
December 10, 1991 | Soviet Union | Belarus | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1918. Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
December 16, 1991 | Soviet Union | Kazakhstan | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. |
December 21, 1991 | Soviet Union | South Ossetia | Not official until the formal disestablishment of the Soviet Union. Largely unrecognized. |
December 26, 1991 | Soviet Union | Russia | Independence restored after Soviet rule. Initial establishment in 1547. |
Post–Cold War era[edit]
Year | Previous entity | Newly independent entity | Event |
---|---|---|---|
March 6, 1992 | Yugoslavia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
July 23, 1992 | Georgia | Abkhazia | Restoration of independence after Georgian, Russian, and Soviet rule. Initially founded in 778. Largely unrecognized. |
January 1, 1993 | Czechoslovakia | Czech Republic | Dissolution of Czechoslovakia |
January 1, 1993 | Czechoslovakia | Slovakia | Dissolution of Czechoslovakia |
July 5, 1994 | Israel | Palestine | Created by the Oslo Accords, limited control over claimed territory. Partially unrecognized |
October 1, 1994 | United States | Palau | |
May 20, 2002 | Indonesia | East Timor | Independence restored after Indonesian occupation. Initial declaration of independence in 1975. |
June 3, 2006 | Serbia and Montenegro | Montenegro | Independence restored after Yugoslav union. Initial establishment in 1516 |
June 3, 2006 | Serbia and Montenegro | Serbia | Independence restored after Yugoslav union. Initial establishment in 780 |
June 14, 2007 | Israel and Palestine | Palestine (Gaza) | Effectively operating as a separate state since Hamas takeover of government. Largely unrecognized. |
February 17, 2008 | Serbia | Kosovo | Proto-state previously existed from 1991-2000. Partially unrecognized. |
August 20, 2010 | Myanmar | Wa State | Recognizes the authority of the National Unity Government of Myanmar but de facto independent. Unrecognized. |
July 9, 2011 | Sudan | South Sudan | |
December 6, 2023 | Myanmar | Chinland | Recognizes the authority of the National Unity Government of Myanmar and aims to rejoin country once they are restored. Unrecognized. |
April 1, 2024 | Somalia | Puntland | Seeks reintegration into Somalia after the adoption of a new constitution. Unrecognized. |
See also[edit]
- Age of Revolution
- Decolonization
- Human history
- List of national independence days
- List of sovereign states by date of formation
- List of wars of independence
- Modern era
- Timeline of national flags