Union Day (Tanzania)
Union Day, celebrated annually on April 26, marks the anniversary of the formation of Tanzania, a nation in East Africa. This significant day commemorates the 1964 union of two territories: Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Zanzibar, known for its rich spice heritage, was previously a British protectorate and became an independent sultanate in 1963 before a revolution led to its union with Tanganyika. Tanganyika, originally a German colony, transitioned through various administrative phases before gaining independence in 1961 under the leadership of Julius Nyerere. The unification of these regions established the United Republic of Tanzania, currently home to a diverse population of over 30 million, predominantly of Bantu descent. The capital city, Dar es Salaam, is a bustling port on the Indian Ocean with approximately 2 million residents. Union Day serves as a reminder of Tanzania's historical journey towards independence and unity, reflecting the complexities of its colonial past and the aspirations of its people.
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Union Day (Tanzania)
Union Day (Tanzania)
April 26 of every year is the anniversary of the creation of the modern East African nation of Tanzania. On that day in 1964, the nation was formed by the union of the former European colonies of Tanganyika and Zanzibar into the United Republic of Tanzania.
Zanzibar, an offshore island famous for its spices, was originally a British possession, first incorporated into their colonial empire as a protectorate in 1890. It became an independent sultanate in 1963, but the sultan was soon overthrown by revolutionaries seeking union with Tanganika. Tanganika had originally been a German possession, one of the few African regions still open to conquest when Germany joined the race among the Great Powers for colonial territories in the late 19th century. After Germany's defeat in World War I, Tanganyika became a League of Nations mandate and then a UN trust territory, administered in both cases by the British, who granted it independence in 1961 under a native African government led by Julius Nyere.
Present-day Tanzania has a population of over 30 million people, nearly all of whom are members of the Bantu ethnic group. The capital and largest city is Dar es Salaam, a port on the Indian Ocean having nearly 2 million inhabitants.