July 12: Independence Day in São Tomé and Príncipe

Written By Notgrass History
 

Prayer Idea

Pray for the people and government of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.

History Note

São Tomé and Príncipe is an island nation off the coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. It includes the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and several small islets.

When Portuguese sailors arrived around 1470, the islands were uninhabited. The Portuguese settled the islands with people convicted of crimes, Jews expelled from Portugal, and enslaved people from Africa. São Tomé briefly became the world’s largest producer of sugar. Coffee and cacao later became important crops.

Some people in the islands began advocating for independence in the 1950s. After a coup in Portugal in 1974, the new Portuguese government agreed to independence. This officially happened on July 12, 1975.

The islands are home to 200,000 people, who have a variety of ethnic backgrounds. About half are Roman Catholic.

Pico Cão Grande is a volcanic plug that rises 1,210 feet over the surrounding terrain on São Tomé. 2024 photo by Xinovap / Shutterstock.com.

Learn More

Take a virtual tour of the land and waters of Príncipe.

Find other resources at Homeschool History.

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July 11: Establishment of the United States Marine Band (1798)