On this date in 1960, Somalia officially gained independence and was formed as a sovereign nation. This date marks the unification of British Somaliland, which had gained independence on June 26, 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent on July 1, 1960. The two territories merged to create the Somali Republic.
This was a historic moment as Somalia took control of its governance after years of colonial rule. Aden Abdullah Osman Daar became the country’s first president following independence. July 1 is now celebrated as Somalia’s Independence Day, a significant national holiday.
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