Indonesia Not Alone: 29 Countries Celebrate Independence in August
Indonesia commemorates its Independence Day every 17 August, but it is not the only country celebrating independence in that month. There are 28 other nations that also mark their independence moments throughout August.
Interestingly, Indonesia shares its independence date with one other country: Gabon in Central Africa. Gabon also observes its independence day every 17 August.
As reported by detikTravel, here is the list of 29 countries that gained independence or commemorate their independence in August:
Countries Independent in August
Switzerland: 1 August 1291
Benin: 1 August 1960
Niger: 3 August 1960
Burkina Faso: 5 August 1960
Bolivia: 6 August 1825
Jamaica: 6 August 1962
Ivory Coast: 7 August 1960
Singapore: 9 August 1965
Ecuador: 10 August 1809
Chad: 11 August 1960
Central African Republic: 13 August 1960
Pakistan: 14 August 1947
Bahrain: 14 August 1971
South Korea: 15 August 1945
North Korea: 15 August 1945
India: 15 August 1947
Republic of the Congo: 15 August 1960
Cyprus: 16 August 1960
Indonesia: 17 August 1945
Gabon: 17 August 1960
Afghanistan: 19 August 1919
Estonia: 20 August 1991
Latvia: 21 August 1991
Ukraine: 24 August 1991
Belarus: 25 August 1991
Moldova: 27 August 1991
Kyrgyzstan: 31 August 1991
Trinidad and Tobago: 31 August 1962
Malaysia: 31 August 1957
Gabon, the Country Independent on 17 August
Besides Indonesia, there is Gabon, located in Central Africa. The country is known for its rich petroleum resources, low population density, and territory crossed directly by the equator.
Gabon has an area of 267,667 square kilometres. For comparison, this size is nearly equivalent to the combined area of West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan provinces in Indonesia.
Although both share the date of 17 August, Gabon gained independence 15 years after Indonesia, in 1960. The country was formerly a French colony.
Through a mass decolonisation agreement initiated by French President Charles de Gaulle, France ultimately relinquished full control. Gabon declared total independence on 17 August 1960, with Léon M’ba as its first president.