ShareKUWAIT: A flag-raising ceremony was held Sunday morning at Bayan Palace, attended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, along with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior state officials. HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal raised Kuwait’s flag, marking the beginning of Kuwait’s national celebrations as the country commemorates its 64th National Day and 34th Liberation Day.
This ceremony is a significant moment in Kuwait’s rich history, connecting the present to the first National Day celebrations on June 19, 1962. On that day, a grand military parade took place at the old airport near Buraisi Gate (also known as Al-Shaab Gate) of the Old Wall of Kuwait, attended by officials and citizens alike, who celebrated their nation’s newfound independence with immense pride. Since then, National Day celebrations have evolved, each decade adding a new layer of significance to the nation’s collective memory.
In the 1970s and 1980s, celebrations were held along Arabian Gulf Street, where public and private institutions, schoolchildren, and folk groups took part in grand parades. Kuwait’s governorates have always actively participated in the celebrations, holding their own flag-raising ceremonies.
Kuwait’s journey toward independence took a pivotal turn in 1962 with the formation of the Constituent Assembly. Tasked with drafting a constitution that would shape the future of the country, this assembly laid the foundation for Kuwait’s modern framework. The late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, affectionately known as the “Father of the Constitution,” approved the final draft in November 1962, setting the stage for Kuwait’s constitutional legitimacy.
The national holidays also honor the resilience and sacrifice of the Kuwaiti people during the Gulf War in 1990-1991, when Iraq invaded the country. Kuwait regained its sovereignty after a US-led coalition intervened, and the event is commemorated annually on Liberation Day, February 26. Despite the devastation caused by the invasion, Kuwait demonstrated remarkable strength and determination in rebuilding and moving forward.
Since its independence, Kuwait has made significant progress in various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic development. Kuwait has also played an active role in regional and international diplomacy, contributing to the stability and development of the region. Today, Kuwait continues its path of progress, building on the foundations laid by its forefathers, in line with the visionary leadership that has steered Kuwait toward prosperity.
