On April 18, 1980, Zimbabwe officially declared its independence from British colonial rule after nearly a century of foreign domination. Formerly known as Rhodesia, the country had been the site of a protracted liberation struggle led by Black nationalist movements such as ZANU and ZAPU. The day marked the swearing-in of Robert Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s first Prime Minister, symbolizing a hard-won victory for African self-determination. Celebrations erupted across the country, and the newly independent nation adopted a new flag and national anthem. Zimbabwe’s Independence Day remains a powerful symbol of Pan-African resilience and post-colonial transformation.
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