Uzbekistan declares independence from the Soviet Union
After Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, an election was held, and Islam Karimov was elected as the first President of Uzbekistan on 29 December 1991.
Nations
The Third Polish Republic is founded, transitioning the country to democracy
With the advent of perestroika in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev, the opportunity arose to finally change the system of government, after the harsh period of martial law (1981-83) imposed by General Jaruzelski.
Micronesia signs a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. marking its emergence from trusteeship to independence
The Compact of Free Association is an international agreement establishing and governing the relationships of free association between the United States and the three Pacific Island nations.
Antigua and Barbuda achieve full independence
The islands achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, becoming the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. However, it remains part of the Commonwealth of Nations, and remains a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Antigua and Barbuda.
Belize officially gains independence
Between 1975 and 1981, Belizean leaders stated their case for self-determination at a meeting of the heads of Commonwealth of Nations governments, the conference of ministers of the Nonaligned Movement, and at meetings of the United Nations (UN).
Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap ratify the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia
The Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia is the supreme law of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Denmark’s Home Rule Act of 1979 gives Greenland limited autonomy
As a consequence of political complications in relation to Denmark’s entry into the European Common Market in 1972, Denmark began to seek a different status for Greenland, resulting in the Home Rule Act of 1979. This gave Greenland its own legislature taking control of some internal policies.
Seychelles gains independence from United Kingdom
Negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement under which the Seychelles became an independent republic within the Commonwealth on June 29, 1976.
Angola achieves independence from Portugal
After many years of conflict, the nation gained its independence on 11 November 1975, after the 1974 coup d’état in Lisbon, Portugal.
The British House of Lords votes to give The Bahamas its independence
The British House of Lords voted to give the Bahamas its independence on 22 June 1973. It joined the Commonwealth of Nations weeks later.