Kamuzu Day is a public holiday observed in Malawi every May 14, honoring Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the country's first president who led Malawi to independence and ruled for over 30 years. Banda, born around March or April 1898, became a significant figure in the struggle for independence after returning to Nyasaland (now Malawi) in 1958. He was imprisoned in 1959 but became de facto Prime Minister in 1960 and officially held the title in 1963 when Nyasaland gained independence, adopting the name Malawi. In 1966, he declared Malawi a republic and served as its first president until 1994. The date of May 14 was chosen as Banda's official birthday during his rule, and the holiday serves to commemorate his contributions to the nation.