Independence | Good News for Humankind

Flags of European nations at the United Nations General Assembly for an article about Palestinian statehood recognition — 12 words.

Five European nations formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the U.N.

By Peter Schulte / September 22, 2025 / Good News For Humankind

Palestinian statehood recognition took a major step forward in September 2025, when France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Portugal jointly declared formal recognition at the United Nations General Assembly. The coordinated announcement represents one of the largest Western diplomatic moves on this issue in a generation, with France’s participation carrying particular weight as a permanent U.N. Security Council member. Formal recognition strengthens Palestine’s standing in international institutions and opens legal channels previously unavailable. While recognition alone does not resolve core issues like borders and refugees, it builds on similar moves by Ireland, Norway, and Spain in 2024, reflecting a meaningful and accelerating shift in international consensus.

Palestinian flags raised outside a government building for an article about Palestinian state recognition

Britain, Australia, and Canada formally recognize Palestinian statehood

By Peter Schulte / September 21, 2025 / Good News For Humankind

Palestinian state recognition by the UK, Australia, and Canada marks a significant shift in Western diplomatic consensus, bringing the total number of recognizing nations to 150. On September 21, 2025, the three allied democracies announced their decisions in a coordinated move timed ahead of a UN conference on the two-state solution. For decades, major Western powers had held back while much of the Global South moved forward on recognition. Acting together, these closely aligned democracies make the shift harder to dismiss as isolated political calculation. Several additional European nations were expected to follow within days.

A closeup of a Kenyan flag, for article on Kenyan self-rule

Kenya attains internal self-rule and marks the first Madaraka Day

By Peter Schulte / June 1, 1963 / Archive of Human Genius

Madaraka Day marks the morning of June 1, 1963, when Kenya’s flag rose over Nairobi and Kenyans took charge of their own internal affairs for the first time. Jomo Kenyatta, once imprisoned by the colonial government, led the new administration. Full independence followed that December, but this was the first real handover.

Flag of Ecuador, for article on Ecuador sovereign state

Ecuador breaks from Gran Colombia and becomes a sovereign republic

By Peter Schulte / May 13, 1830 / Archive of Human Genius

Ecuador declared itself an independent republic on May 13, 1830, when a constitutional assembly in Riobamba formally ended its union with Gran Colombia. The new nation took its name from the equator cutting through its territory, inheriting ancient Indigenous civilizations and the Galápagos Islands. It was a quiet, consequential step in redrawing South America’s map.

Flag of Empire of Brazil, for article on Bahia independence

Bahia’s liberation from Portugal completes Brazilian independence

By Peter Schulte / September 7, 1822 / Archive of Human Genius

Bahia’s independence came nearly a year after Brazil’s famous 1822 declaration, finalized on 2 July 1823 when Portuguese forces were finally expelled from Salvador. The fight drew in Afro-Brazilian, Indigenous, and poor fighters alongside elites, and Bahians still mark the day with a fervor that reflects how hard-won their freedom truly was.

A painting by Chilean painter Luis Vergara Ahumada

The Act of Independence of Central America proclaims the independence of Central America from the Spanish Empire

By Peter Schulte / September 15, 1821 / Archive of Human Genius

The Act led to the eventual formation of the modern nations of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Congress of Chilpancingo painting, for article on Congress of Chilpancingo

Congress of Chilpancingo declares Mexico independent from Spain

By Peter Schulte / September 13, 1813 / Archive of Human Genius

The Congress of Chilpancingo convened in September 1813, gathering insurgent representatives in a small mountain town in what is now Guerrero, Mexico. Led by José María Morelos, they formally declared independence from Spain and drafted the Sentimientos de la Nación, abolishing slavery and racial castes. Eight years before Mexican independence arrived, they sketched its moral blueprint under fire.