Maputo Day is observed in the city of Maputo, Mozambique, every November 10 to celebrate the city's incorporation and its history. This municipal holiday commemorates the day in 1887 when Lourenço Marques, the former name of Maputo, was granted city status. The area originally began as a small fishing village inhabited by local tribes and saw European involvement starting in 1544 when Portuguese explorer Lourenço Marques established a fort and trading post in Delagoa Bay. The settlement grew significantly over the years, eventually becoming a major seaport by the early 20th century. Following Mozambique's independence from Portugal in 1975, the capital was renamed Maputo after the nearby Maputo River. Maputo Day is celebrated exclusively in the city and does not hold festive significance in the rest of the country.