Independence

Ireland, Norway, and Spain jointly recognize Palestine as a state

May 28, 2024 | By Peter Schulte | -, Change Milestones

At a time when European capitals are divided over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the initiative aims to relaunch the peace process on the basis of the two-state solution. The State of Palestine is now recognized as a sovereign state by 145 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. It has been a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012.

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Kenya attains self-rule and celebrates first Madaraka Day

June 1, 1963 | By Peter Schulte | Past Progress

Madaraka Day (“Internal self rule” or Self-Governance Day) is now a national holiday celebrated every 1 June of every year in the Republic of Kenya.

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Freed slaves in Galveston, Texas celebrate the first Juneteenth

June 19, 1865 | By Peter Schulte | Change Milestones, Past Progress

On June 17, 2021 President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law and Juneteenth became a federally-recognized holiday.

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The Republic of Ecuador is founded

May 13, 1830 | By Peter Schulte | Change Milestones, Past Progress

Ecuador initially joined Simón Bolívar’s Republic of Gran Colombia. However, in 1830, Ecuador separated from Gran Colombia and became an independent republic.

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Bahia gains independence, ending Portuguese rule in Brazil

July 2, 1822 | By Peter Schulte | Past Progress

Control of the province was disputed in several battles, mostly in Pirajá, before the Portuguese were fully expelled on 2 July 1823. Bahia became a Brazilian state in 1889.

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A painting by Chilean painter Luis Vergara Ahumada, depicting the signing of the Act by Father José Matías Delgado

The Act of Independence of Central America proclaims the independence of Central America from the Spanish Empire

September 15, 1821 | By Peter Schulte | Past Progress

The Act led to the eventual formation of the modern nations of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

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Chilpancingo congress declares Mexico independent of Spain

November 6, 1813 | By Peter Schulte | Past Progress

On November 6, the deputies to the Congress signed the first legal document, known as the Acta Solemne de la Declaración de Independencia de la América Septentrional, in which the separation of the New Spain with respect to the Spanish rule is proclaimed.

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