Guinea-Bissau History

Before the colonial times
Before the occupation by the Portuguese the area was part of the kingdom Mali.

Colonial times
In 1446, the formerly called Portuguese Guinea became part of Portugal. Amilcar Lopes Cabral founded the PAIGC (African party for the independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde) in 1955 and led the war of independence from 1963 to 1974 against the Portuguese. When the PAIGC controlled most parts of the country in 1972 (also Cape Verde) elections were held.

Independence
The independence of Guinea Bissau was proclaimed on September 24th, 1973 and approved by Portugal on September 10th, 1974. The 24th of September is the national holiday of Guinea Bissau.