Today, the Republic of Cyprus proudly celebrates its 63rd anniversary since declaring its Independence from the United Kingdom.
Since 1960, the 1st of October marks the anniversary of the island country’s independence from the British colonialists after the EOKA struggle in 1955-1959.
The 1st of October is not, in fact, the actual day when the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus took place. Agreements for establishing the Republic of Cyprus were enforced on the 16th of August, 1960. Still, on the 11th of July 1963, the Council of Ministers, which then consisted of seven Greek Cypriots and three Turkish Cypriots, decided to establish the 1st of October as the official Independence Day of Cyprus so that it could be celebrated as appropriate with all the honours and the presence of international diplomatic bodies.
The flag of the Republic of Cyprus has been waving high in the sky of Cyprus as a symbol of peace and freedom since 16 August 1960, despite Turkey occupying the northern part of the island since 1974.