August 16 marks 66 years since Cyprus was proclaimed an independent state. After 82 years under British rule, the last British Governor of Cyprus, Hugh Foot, together with the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, and Vice-President Fazıl Küçük, signed the agreements establishing the Republic of Cyprus as an independent and sovereign state.
The signing took place during an official ceremony at the House of Representatives at midnight between August 15 and 16, 1960. Before the signing, outgoing Governor Hugh Foot read the declaration proclaiming Cyprus an independent republic. The Constitution came into force on August 16, 1960. In September of the same year, the Republic of Cyprus became a member of the United Nations.
Following the conclusion of the first session of the House of Representatives, during which the body was formally established and President Makarios and Vice-President Küçük pledged their allegiance to the Republic, the flag of the Republic of Cyprus was raised.
The previous day, at sunset, the British flag had been lowered from Government House – today’s Presidential Palace – and from all public buildings.
According to press reports from the time, President Makarios said in an address that Cyprus, upon entering the community of free nations, was determined to actively assume its responsibilities and work towards upholding the principles and provisions of the United Nations Charter.
He also called on everyone to unite their efforts and cooperate for the prosperity and progress of the island.
According to the same sources, President Makarios received numerous messages of congratulations on Cyprus’ independence, including from UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, Queen Elizabeth II, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United Arab Republic Gamal Abdel Nasser, and numerous other leaders from Europe, Africa and Asia.
The decision to celebrate the independence of the Republic of Cyprus on October 1 was taken on July 11, 1963, when the Council of Ministers designated the date as a public holiday for the celebration of the anniversary.
Source: CNA
