Burkina Faso Independence Day

Burkina Faso celebrates its independence day every year on August 5th. This country got independent from French rule in 1960. Before that, the territory was merged with and separated from other French territories in West Africa.

Until the end of 19th century, the empire-building Mossi dominated the history of Burkina Faso. In 1896, the French claimed the area but Mossi resistance was there till 1901, when the French captured the capital, Ouagadougou. In 1919, the colony of upper Volta was established. It was dismantled and reconstituted several times. The present borders were recognized in 1947.