HISTORY
Independence Day:
The most important day in the history of Madagascar is June 26, 1960.The island state became independent from France.
This day is of course duly celebrated year after year.Before that, on October 14, 1958, it was declared an autonomous state within the French community.The first president was Philibert Tsiranana.The current President of the Republic of Madagascar is Andry Rajoelina.
The first immigrants probably came from Indonesia around 2,400 years ago via Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, the East African coast and further across the Mozambique Channel.
This took place over many generations. The Indonesians settled in the middle. Some time later the Africans came.
Over time, these peoples mixed and a separate people emerged with their own culture and different customs.
The Malagasy language was created from the original Malay, Polynesian and further refined with Swahili, Arabic, English and French.
The Portuguese with Diego Diaz discovered Madagascar around 1500. Afterwards, many kings and queens ruled the country.
During the 17th century, the Portuguese, the English and the French tried successively to take possession of Madagascar.
However, the Malagasy people put up bitter resistance against all invaders, so that colonization did not take place for a long time.
The French came around 1642. With them were many missionaries who tried to preach the gospel and taught reading and writing.
Engineers beautified the cityscapes and built industrial facilities.
At the end of the 18th century, King Andrianampoinimerina united the various small Malagasy kingdoms that had emerged from the different tribes into a unified state.
This was also the time of numerous pirates. Queen Ranovalona III was exiled to Algeria and Madagascar became a French colony in 1896.
In 1946, Madagascar became a French overseas department. On October 14, 1958, the Republic of Madagascar was proclaimed.
Two years later on June 26, 1960, the Republic became independent from France.
The first republic was called the Republic of Madagascar, the president was Philibert TSIRANANA. In 1961 the African and Malagasy Union was founded.
Between President Tsiranana and President Ratsiraka, Richard RATSIMANDRAVA was PresidentThe second republic was called the Democratic Republic of Madagascar and the president was Didier RATSIRAKA.
The 3rd Republic is called the Republic of Madagascar.President Albert ZAFY from 1992-1996 was replaced by Didier RATSIRAKA from 1996-2001.
Marc RAVALOMANANA followed from 2002 to 2009. In January 2009, the mayor of Antananarivo Andry RAJOELINA tried to overthrow the president. The coup attempt or attempt to storm the palace failed and ended bloodily. Around 30 people died. Rajoelina fled to the French embassy.
In 2011, a roadmap was drawn up with international participation to end the crisis. It contained important steps towards new elections and a return to democracy.
An election was held in October 2013 under the observation of an international community of states. A runoff election was necessaryHery Rajaonarimampianina emerged as the winner. He was sworn in as president in 2014.
In the 2019 elections, Andry Rajoelina was officially elected and the former president acknowledged his defeat.There should be new elections again in 2023.
