This year on December 9, 2020 Tanzania celebrates its’ 58th year of Independence.

The day is typically celebrated nation wide with speeches, parades and flag celebrations.  However, due to COVID this year, President John Magufuli of Tanzania, has decided to cancel all Independence celebrations and is redirecting the celebratory funds to purchase much needed hospital equipment for the newly built Uhuru Hospital located in the commercial area of Dar es Salaam.  Additionally, he has encouraged all citizens to partake in cleaning their respective communities in lieu of the current pandemic restrictions.

Prior to 1961, Tanzania was colonized under the rule of Britain and was called Tanganyika. December 9 marks the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain (1961) which then became Republic a year later, in 1962.

It wasn’t until the after the revolution of Zanzibar in 1963, did Zanzibar and (then) Tanganyika unite together, renaming the country, to what is now known today as, Tanzania.