Today’s Doodle celebrates Senegal’s Independence Day. On this day in 1960, Senegal signed a historic transfer of power agreement which paved the way for its formal declaration of sovereignty on June 20 that same year. 

The official Senegalese Independence Day observance begins with a national flag-raising ceremony in Dakar, the cosmopolitan capital city located on the Cape Verde Peninsula which is the westernmost point in all of mainland Africa. During the ceremony, Senegal remembers its fight for freedom as the red, green, and golden striped flag—depicted in the Doodle artwork—is hoisted high above the Dakar streets.

Along with honoring its proud history, Independence Day is also filled with a celebration of the country’s rich cultural legacy. Annual festivities include dancing to traditional music such as mbalax, a popular percussion-based blend of vocals and Wolof instrumentation, as well as enjoying meals like the national dish of thieboudienne, a Senegalese take on Jollof rice traditionally served with vegetables and marinated fish.

Happy Independence Day, Senegal!