National Day celebrations have been held in schools in Male’ and the atolls.
National Day is celebrated every year on 1 Rabi’ul Awwal of the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on 14 August. Some schools held celebrations on 13 August, while others are scheduled to celebrate on 16 August as National Day falls on a government holiday.
One of the schools that held the most colorful celebrations included Dharumavantha School in Male’. The school held a special assembly featuring student speeches, national songs, traditional dance and a drama on National Day. Photography activities were also held during the interval break.
The National Day commemorates the Maldives’ independence from Portuguese rule. The Maldives gained independence from Portuguese rule in 1573, following the resistance movement led by Sultan Al-Ghazi Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-A’uzam and five others. The independence is said to have been achieved on 1 Rabi’ul Awwal.