Apr 04, 2023
Senegal Independence Day 2023
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates Senegal Independence Day, also called National Day! On this day in 1960, the young nation signed a transfer of power agreement after more than 250 years under colonial rule. Two months later, Senegal became an independent nation.
This year, the country celebrates its 63rd year of freedom. On the public holiday, Senegalese people enjoy fireworks, parades, performances, and cultural delicacies to commemorate their nation’s progress. Mbalax music concerts inspire citizens to dance along to a contagiously rhythmic beat, while those with less happy feet enjoy thieboudienne (rice with vegetables and marinated fish all cooking in a single pot).
At the massive parade in Dakar, attendees gallantly sing the national anthem, Le Lion Rouge (or The Red Lion), and wave the green, yellow, and red Senegalese flag high in the sky. The green symbolizes hope and faith, the yellow represents labor and wealth, while the red stands for independence.
Happy Independence Day, Senegal!
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