Republic Day

On November 11th, the Maldives commemorates the end of the Sultanate's long reign and the establishment of a republican government in 1968. Once every five years, a new Maldivian president is appointed on this day. Official events, like speeches and parades, were held across the country as part of the commemoration. This is the best time to try special Republic Day meals such as huni hakuru folhi, a type of coconut cake; bodibaiy, a super-sweet rice snack; and masroshi, a fish-stuffed pancake.

A referendum was held on March 15th, 1968, just a few years after independence, in which 81 percent of the population opted to replace the Sultanate with a republic. The Republic Day was officially declared on November 11th, 1968. The final sultan's Prime Minister, Ibrahim Nasir, became the first president of the new Maldives Republic.

Date: November 11th