Cyprus Independence Day

October 1

Cyprus gained independence from Great Britain on August 16, 1960. On that day, British governor Hugh Foot departed amid much ceremony, and Greek Cypriot freedom fighters landed on a plane from Athens with a heroes' welcome. The new Cypriot president, Archbishop Makarios III (1913-1977), gave a speech inspiring Cypriots to improve their new nation.
Independence Day is observed as a public holiday on October 1 each year.

CONTACTS:
Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus
2211 R St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-462-5772; fax: 202-483-6710
www.cyprusembassy.net

SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 165
NatlHolWrld-1968, p. 145

Celebrated in: Cyprus

References in periodicals archive ?

In their messages for Cyprus Independence Day, France and Russia gave support for stalled reunification talks to get back on track sooner rather than later while backing the island as a key partner in the region.

CYPRUS: France and Russia call for quick resumption of peace talks

In a statement after the military parade that took place in Nicosia, to celebrate Cyprus Independence Day, President Anastasiades said that while it is a day to be proud of, at the same time it should be a day of reflection on what happened in the past, referring in particular to bicommunal unrest and civil strife which led to a coup d` etat engineered by the Greek Junta on July 15, 1974, that was followed by the Turkish invasion of the island in two phases, on July 20 and August 14,1974, resulting in the occupation of the island's northern third.

President asks Turkish Cypriots to respect the rights of all Cypriots

In a message on the occasion of the Cyprus Independence Day on October 1, Pompeo offered congratulations to the Cypriot people and best wishes for the celebrations.

Pompeo says solution would bring peace and prosperity to all Cypriots

The process aimed at a solution of the Cyprus problem will be resumed, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades said on Saturday night in a TV address to mark Cyprus Independence Day.

Cyprus peace talks will resume Anastasiades says

TheCyprus Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Cyprus Independence Day with a concert series of pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven entitled 'Heroic Moments' on Tuesday in Limassol, on Wednesday in Larnaca and next Thursday in Nicosia.