July 25: Republic Day in Tunisia
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Tunisia.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.
History Note
The Phoenicians established the city-state of Carthage in what is now Tunisia in ancient times. Carthage fought a series of conflicts known as the Punic Wars against the Roman Empire. Carthage lost and became part of the Roman Empire. The Romans called the province Africa (Land of the Afri). The origin of the term “afri” is uncertain. Many centuries later, after further European exploration, the whole continent became known as Africa.
Modern Tunisia became part of the Islamic caliphates that spread across the Middle East and North Africa in the 600s. Tunis, located near the site of ancient Carthage, became the leading city.
Pirates based in Tunis and other North African cities attacked shipping in the Mediterranean for several centuries. This led to conflict with European nations and the United States.
France took over neighboring Algeria in 1830. The French pressured Tunisia to make a treaty in the 1880s giving France some control over the country. Tunisians pushed for complete independence during the 20th century. France finally gave up control in 1956, and Tunisia declared itself a republic on July 25, 1957.
The country has a population of 12 million. Arabic is the official language, though French is also commonly used. Sunni Islam is the official religion.
Protests in Tunisia in 2010 started what became known as the Arab Spring, a movement that spread to other Arab countries calling attention to government corruption and economic challenges.
This photo shows the Gulf of Tunis from the city of Sidi Bou Said on July 25, 2023. Photo by Rastislav Stur / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video provides drone views of Tunisia.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
