Nauru Independence Day

Germany took control of the island in 1888 after 10 years of civil war between the island’s 12 tribes. In 1914 during World War One Australia forces seized Nauru from Germany, and in 1919, an agreement was set up that put the island under joint British-Australian-New Zealand rule, but it was always under control of Australia. It was granted self-rule in 1966 and Independence was granted on this day in 1968. Celebrations include raising the country’s flag, singing its national anthem and listening to patriotic speeches. The islanders take part in fishing, wrestling, tug-o-war contests and spend time cleaning up their homeland in a district-by-district clean up competition.