Independence Day in Gabon is observed on August 17 every year, commemorating the country’s independence from France in 1960. The holiday is widely celebrated throughout Gabon, marked by official speeches, parades, drum shows, traditional dance programs, parties, and various festive events. Gabon, located on the West Coast of Central Africa, was colonized by France in the 19th century, becoming part of French Equatorial Africa in 1910. The path to independence was paved by the formation of the first political party, the Jeunesse Gabonais, in 1922, which was anti-colonialist. Following the dissolution of French Equatorial Africa in the late 1950s, Gabon achieved full independence on August 17, 1960. The celebrations typically last for two days, encompassing both August 16 and 17.