August 16 marks the 66th anniversary of the declaration of Cyprus as an independent state. After 82 years under British rule, the last British Governor of Cyprus, Hugh Foot, along with the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, and Vice President, Fazil Kçk, signed the Zurich-London agreements, which declared the founding of the Republic of Cyprus as an independent and sovereign state.,
The signing took place at an official ceremony in the House of Representatives at midnight of August 15 to 16, 1960. Before the signing, Hugh Foot read the statement by which Cyprus was declared an independent Republic. The Constitution came into effect on August 16, 1960. In September of the same year, the Republic of Cyprus became a member of the United Nations.
After the conclusion of the first session of the House of Representatives, the flag of the Republic of Cyprus was raised. The British flag was lowered from the Governor’s House (currently the Presidential Palace) and from all public buildings the previous day, at sunset.
According to the press of the time, President Makarios had stated the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus, as a new member of the community of free nations, to actively take on its responsibilities and work for the prevalence of the principles and provisions of the United Nations Charter. He also appealed to everyone to join forces and cooperate for the prosperity and progress of the island.
According to the same sources, President Makarios received a multitude of congratulatory messages for the independence of Cyprus, among others, from the UN Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjöld, the Queen of England, Elizabeth, the President of the USA, Dwight Eisenhower, the President of the United Arab Republic, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and from many other leaders of countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The independence of the Republic of Cyprus was decided be celebrated on October 1. The Cabinet designated this day as holiday on July 11, 1963.