Goa Liberation Day

December 19, Thursday

Goa

Goa, Daman and Diu Liberation Day is observed on December 19 every year in Goa, India. The Goa Liberation Day is celebrated in commemoration of the Indian armed forces annexing Portuguese-ruled Goa. Also, India was completely free from European rule on this day.

Goa, an Indian state, was liberated on December 19, 1961, from around 450 years of Portuguese rule. The movement for independence in the 19th century in India had some impact to a lesser extent in Goa also. The residents of Goa also participated in Satyagraha in 1940s. The Portuguese still refused to leave Goa even after India got independence in 1947. The government, though, didn't take any military action then, it held a series of diplomatic talks with Portuguese. After the talks failed, the then-Government of India chose the military option for the liberation of Goa.

Goa Liberation Day