Fellow ancestors and the struggles they went through will be remembered today as Vanuatu celebrates Constitution Day.
Vanuatu Daily Post reports that the struggle for independence began in the early 1970s. In 1974, Walter Lini established the New Hebrides National Party (now the Vanua’aku Pati).
The date for full independence of Vanuatu was set in 1979.
Take a brief step back through history and reflect on how in the 19th century, when Britain and France both tried to seize dominance over the archipelago.
As a result, Vanuatu (then the New Hebrides) became an Anglo-French Condominium in 1906.
Today also commemorates the signing of the Constitution of Vanuatu that took place on this day in 1979, 39 years ago.
That same year, the drafting of the country’s constitution began. The Constitutional Committee consisted of representatives of different political parties, religious leaders and local tribal chiefs.
The Constitution was signed on October 5, 1979. It came into force on July 30, 1980, when the New Hebrides gained independence as the Republic of Vanuatu.
The anniversary of the signing was designated as a public holiday.
Constitution Day in Vanuatu is marked with public speeches, official ceremonies and other festive events and activities.