6 Countries Marking a National Day in April

April carries a cluster of independence dates, from West Africa to Southern Africa to South America. Six countries in our catalog mark a national day this month. Here they are in calendar order.

April 4 — Senegal

Senegal became independent from France on April 4, 1960, the first country to mark its independence day in April.

April 18 — Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's Independence Day marks April 18, 1980, when the country became independent from the United Kingdom after a long war for majority rule.

April 19 — Venezuela

April 19, 1810 is the day a Caracas uprising deposed the Spanish captain general and founded the Supreme Junta — the spark that began Venezuela's independence movement. Full independence was declared the following year, on July 5, 1811.

April 27 — Sierra Leone, Togo and South Africa

Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom on April 27, 1961, under Milton Margai. Togo became independent from France on the same date in 1960, with Sylvanus Olympio as its first president. South Africa marks a different kind of anniversary on April 27: Freedom Day, commemorating the country's first democratic election in 1994, which ended apartheid.

Each of these countries has its own flag story and designs in our catalog. Browse the collections: Senegal, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Sierra Leone, Togo, South Africa — or explore the story behind any country's flag on our free Flag Story Cards page.

More national days by month: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.