Independence Day of Tuvalu is a national holiday celebrated on October 1. The state of Tuvalu includes 5 atolls and 4 islands located in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, with a total area of ​​more than 16,000 square kilometers.

Polynesians inhabited the territory of the islands more than 3000 years ago. In the 19th century, the islands were colonized by the British. Being under the protectorate of the empire, the islands were called “Gilbert and Ellis”. In 1978, the island state gained independence and renamed itself Tuvalu – “eight islands”, since the 9th, Niulakita, was inhabited not so long ago.

Tuvalu has about 12,000 inhabitants and ranks third from the bottom in the world ranking in terms of population. There are no political parties, formally the head of Tuvalu is the English monarch. Official celebrations for Independence Day are held in the capital Funafuti: the traditional raising of the government flag, a parade of policemen and schoolchildren.