Botswana Day Date in the current year: September 30, 2024

In the 19th century, hostilities broke out between several tribes that laid claims to the territory of present-day Botswana. The tensions escalated when the Boer settlers arrived from the Transvaal. Eventually, a group of Batswana leaders asked the British government for protection. In 1885, the Bechuanaland Protectorate was officially established.

In 1961, Seretse Khama founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party that struggled for the protectorate's independence. Three years later, Bechuanaland was granted democratic-self government. The first general elections were held in 1965, following the adoption of the constitution. On September 30, 1996, Botswana officially became an independent republic within the Commonwealth with Seretse Khama as its first President.

Botswana Independence Day is the country's main national holiday. It is widely celebrated throughout the country with official speeches, ceremonies, parades, street parties, concerts, and other festive events and activities. The main celebration is held in the capital city of Gaborone.