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Internal Autonomy Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about French Polynesia

Internal Autonomy Day is celebrated annually on June 29 in French Polynesia. It respects Tahitian and French Polynesian autonomy. In addition, it commemorates the annexation of the Kingdom of Tahiti and King Pomare V’s transfer of power to France. While many political parties observe the date with celebrations, others believe it should be a day of melancholy. Nonetheless, the majority of celebrations take place in Papeete, the nation’s capital, and include parades, entertainment, and concerts. Actual date of internal autonomy for French Polynesia was September 6, 1984.

The background of Internal Autonomy Day

French Polynesia is a French overseas territory. It is comprised of 121 islands and atolls spanning approximately 1,200 miles in the South Pacific Ocean. It is believed that Austronesian peoples travelled across the Pacific Ocean during the Great Polynesian Migration and settled the islands around 1500 B.C. The Marquesas Islands were the first French Polynesian islands to be colonised around 200 B.C. Around 300 A.D., additional voyages to the southwest lead to the discovery of the Society Islands.

In 1521, Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan spotted Puka-Puka in the Tumotu-Gambier Archipelago, which marked the first contact between Europeans and the region. In 1774, the Spanish established the first European settlement in French Polynesia by establishing a base. Christian missions to Tahiti began shortly thereafter, with the first permanent settlers arriving in 1797. 1834 saw the arrival of French Catholic missionaries to Tahiti, and by 1842 both Tahiti and Tahuata had been declared French protectorates.

After many years of annexation, French citizenship was conferred to Polynesians in 1946, and the islands were designated as an overseas territory. The French renamed the islands Polynésie Française in 1957. In 1984, French Polynesia attained complete internal autonomy, which had been partially granted in 1977. Consequently, Internal Autonomy Day is celebrated annually on June 29. It respects Tahitian and French Polynesian autonomy. In addition, it commemorates the annexation of the Kingdom of Tahiti and King Pomare V’s transfer of power to France. While many political parties observe the date with celebrations, others believe it should be a day of melancholy. Nonetheless, celebrations are held on June 29 in Papeete, the nation’s capital, with parades, entertainment, and concerts.

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