Global Africa Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

On May 25, 1963, the leaders of 30 of Africa's 32 sovereign republics signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The O.A.U. was created to aid numerous African nations in attaining transformation, liberty, and autonomy.

Image Source: Pinterest

The annual commemoration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, formerly known as African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day, is celebrated every year on May 25. It is a day for Africans and those who love Africa to demonstrate to the world that the continent is a force to be reckoned with and that the time has come for African youth to define the Africa they want, on their own terms, after centuries of being referred to in derogatory and demeaning terms.

The background of Global Africa Day

On May 25, 1963, the leaders of 30 of Africa’s 32 sovereign republics signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The O.A.U. was created to aid numerous African nations in attaining transformation, liberty, and autonomy. In 1991, the O.A.U. established the African Economic Community, and in 2002, it established the African Union. Since its founding, a total of 21 countries have joined the O.A.U.

South Africa joined as the 53rd member on May 23, 1994. On April 15, 1958, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Ghana observed African Liberation Day or African Freedom Day, following the first Conference of Independent African States. In Ghana, this holiday was superseded by African Unity Day in 1963. Despite being renamed the African Union, the name and date of Africa Day have been preserved, and Africa Day functions as an occasion to honour the people and governments of Africa. Africa is home to numerous languages. Every African country, with the exception of Ethiopia, has one of the following official languages: English, Portuguese, French, or Arabic.

Except for Ethiopia and Liberia, every country in Africa was colonised by Europe. After gaining independence, one of the colonised nations’ official languages remained that of the colonisers. Upon its founding by African-American colonisers in 1847, Liberia had previously adopted English as its official language. Despite brief Italian occupation before World War II, Ethiopia was never colonised.

World Schizophrenia Awareness Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Schizophrenia

Empire Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Empire Day

The Battle of Pichincha Day 2023: Date, History, Facts Concerning the Battle and Quito

GLOBAL AFRICA DAY ACTIVITIES

Virtually journey to Africa

The African Heritage House in Kenya is one of the countless museums, galleries, and cultural landmarks in Africa. Virtually visit 32 cultural venues across the continent and read over 300 stories on art, identity, music, fashion, and gastronomy, among other topics.

Find out about Africa

Learn about the history of Africa. Select an African nation and research its history. Go to the website of the African Union for more details.

Visit Africa

Make a trip to an African nation. Prepare your affairs and return to your country of origin. Select an African region, reserve a flight, and embark on your voyage.