Independence Day in Angola is observed on November 11, celebrating the country's independence from Portugal in 1975. This national holiday commemorates the end of 400 years of Portuguese colonial rule, which included a brief period of Dutch occupation from 1641 to 1648. The struggle for independence began in 1961, involving key organizations such as the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974, the MPLA took control of Luanda, the capital, and declared independence. The day is marked by formal speeches, solemn ceremonies, parades, concerts, and various festive activities, making it a significant public holiday celebrated widely across the country.