Tuvalu Independence Day

These islands used to be called the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and after the formation of the United Nations after the second World War, the path to decolonisation started. In 1974 the ministerial government was introduced to the islands through a change to the constitution. Later that year a general election was held to determine whether the islands should have their own administration. As a consequence of this, separation occurred in two separate stages. The Tuvulan Order 1975, which took effect on this day, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependencey with its own government. The second stage occured on 1st January 1976, when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. On 1st October 1978, Tuvalu became an independent nation when their first Prime Minister was declared, and this day became a public holiday.