This public holiday commemorates the day that the Republic of Djibouti proclaimed its independence from France in 1977.
Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa, along with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The French began to colonize it in 1862 by signing various treaties with local authorities.
In 1960, British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland gained independence and formed the Somali Republic.
In Djibouti, a referendum was held to decide whether it would remain with France or join the newly created republic.
The majority of voters favored a continued association with France.
The second referendum was held in 1967.
French Somaliland remained in association with France (although a looser one) and was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas.
A plebiscite was held in 1977. The overwhelming majority of voters supported independence from France. The third referendum took place on June 27, 1977.
The anniversary is now celebrated as Independence Day, which is the most significant national holiday in Djibouti.
