Sarawak Independence Day, also known as Sarawak Day, is observed in the Malaysian state of Sarawak every July 22. This official holiday commemorates the day in 1963 when Sarawak was granted self-governance and became de facto independent from the United Kingdom. The celebration acknowledges Sarawak's unique historical context, as it was previously ruled by the Brooke family and later became a British Crown Colony. The idea of celebrating this day emerged in the early 2010s, with proponents arguing that Malaysia’s National Day does not reflect Sarawak's history. The state government declared it a public holiday in 2016, although some debate the accuracy of the term "independence" since full independence was not achieved at that time. In addition to Sarawak Independence Day, other state holidays are also celebrated in Sarawak, such as the official birthday of the governor, observed on the second Sunday of October.