This day marks the independence from Britain on 18th February 1965. Its first contact with Europeans was in the mid 15th century when the Portuguese arrived as part of their expansion of overseas trade. Trade rights were sold to Britain at the end of the 16th century, but they initially struggled for domination of the region with France. For a short period in the 17th century part of the Gambia was under the control of Latvia!
In 1889 the present boundaries were set by agreement between Britain and France, and five years later it became a British protectorate. During the 1950s political parties emerged. In 1960, elections were held under a new constitution, with the People’s Progressive party, being the dominant political party after further elections in 1962. Following agreements between the British and Gambian Governments in July 1964, The Gambia achieved independence as a constitutional monarchy on 18th February 1965.
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