Independence Day (Cyprus)

The day celebrates the independence of Cyprus from British rule on 16 August 1960, which was guaranteed by Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom in The London and Zürich Agreements.

[1] The holiday is celebrated by festivals and a military parade in the capital of Nicosia.

The parade is composed of units from the National Guard, Greek forces in Cyprus, the police and fire services.

During the 1950s the Greek people of Cyprus began to fight for unification with Greece, deciding to fight under Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (EOKA; /eɪˈoʊkə/; Greek: Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών, lit.

The conflict lasted for four years which resulted in the British governor Sir Hugh Foot declaring Cyprus's independence.