Timor-Leste Proclamation of Independence Day (November 28)
On November 28, 1975, the FRETILIN movement proclaimed the independence of East Timor from Portugal. Nine days later the territory was invaded, and its people had to wait until 2002 to see their independence restored. Today Timor-Leste remembers that first declaration every year on Proclamation of Independence Day, November 28.
| Name | Timor-Leste Proclamation of Independence Day |
|---|---|
| When | Every year on November 28 |
| Next date | Saturday, November 28, 2026 · in 34 days |
| Type | Public Holidays |
| Observed in | 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste |
| Topic | Patriotic & History |
| First observed | 1975 |
| Public holiday? | Yes |
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Date | November 28 every year |
| Year | 1975 |
| Restoration of Independence Day | May 20, 2002 |
| Capital | Dili |
| Official languages | Tetum and Portuguese |
| Nobel Peace Prize 1996 | Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José Ramos-Horta |
| Holiday type | National public holiday |
A Long Road to Freedom
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1500s | Portuguese traders and missionaries arrive |
| 1974 | Carnation Revolution in Portugal opens the way to decolonisation |
| November 28, 1975 | FRETILIN proclaims the Democratic Republic of East Timor |
| December 7, 1975 | Indonesia invades; a long and deadly occupation follows |
| 1991 | Santa Cruz massacre in Dili draws world attention |
| 1996 | Belo and Ramos-Horta receive the Nobel Peace Prize |
| August 30, 1999 | UN-organised referendum: 78.5% vote for independence |
| May 20, 2002 | Independence restored; Xanana Gusmão becomes first President |
| 2002 | Timor-Leste becomes the 191st member of the United Nations |
How the Day Is Observed
- Flag-raising ceremonies in Dili and across the municipalities.
- Speeches honouring those who fought and died for independence.
- Cultural performances with traditional tais textiles and dances.
- Church services — the country is one of the most Catholic nations in Asia.
👉 Also November 28: Mauritania Independence Day
👉 Also November 28: Albanian Independence Day
Timor-Leste Today
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Population | About 1.4 million |
| Currency | US dollar (with local centavo coins) |
| Religion | Overwhelmingly Roman Catholic |
| Economy | Oil and gas revenues, coffee and agriculture |
| ASEAN | Became the 11th member of ASEAN in 2025 |
Heroes of the Resistance
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Xanana Gusmão | Resistance commander, first President (2002) and later Prime Minister |
| José Ramos-Horta | Diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize 1996, later President |
| Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo | Catholic bishop who spoke out for human rights, Nobel Peace Prize 1996 |
| Nicolau Lobato | FRETILIN leader killed in 1978, honoured as a national hero |
Independence Holidays in Timor-Leste
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Restoration of Independence Day | May 20 |
| Popular Consultation Day (1999 referendum) | August 30 |
| Proclamation of Independence Day | November 28 |
| National Heroes Day | December 31 |
The Resistance Museum in Dili tells the story of the 24-year struggle, and the Cristo Rei statue on a hill outside the city has become a symbol of the young nation.
When is Timor-Leste Proclamation of Independence Day?
Timor-Leste Proclamation of Independence Day is observed every year on November 28. Here are the dates for the coming years:
| Year | Date | Day of the week | Countdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 28, 2026 | Saturday | in 34 days |
| 2027 | November 28, 2027 | Sunday | in 399 days |
| 2028 | November 28, 2028 | Tuesday | in 765 days |
| 2029 | November 28, 2029 | Wednesday | in 1130 days |
| 2030 | November 28, 2030 | Thursday | in 1495 days |
| 2031 | November 28, 2031 | Friday | in 1860 days |
FAQ
It is celebrated every year on November 28.
FRETILIN proclaimed the independence of East Timor from Portugal.
Its independence was restored on May 20, 2002, after a UN-organised referendum in 1999.
Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages; Indonesian and English are working languages.