# National Day (Brunei)

National Day (Malay: Hari Kebangsaan; Jawi: کبڠساءن‎ هاري) or Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan) is a national holiday in Brunei commemorating the anniversary of Brunei's proclamation of independence. It was made a national holiday by government decree in 1985. Although Brunei broke away from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, it wasn't until February that Brunei was totally free of British control.

## History
### Background

In 1888, Brunei signed a deal with the British to come under their protection in order to ensure its own political survival. As piracy and rebellion threatened the internal order of the kingdom and Sarawak's White Rajahs encroached on the borders, Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin petitioned the British government for help to slow the rapid collapse of Brunei's land. The British residency was established in 1906, and Brunei remained under their rule for an additional 53 years. The Constitution Agreement, which abolished the residence requirement and established internal self-government while leaving Britain in charge of defense and foreign policy, was signed with the United Kingdom in 1959, marking the beginning of the country's journey toward independence. The timeframe for independence was established by subsequent treaties with the United Kingdom in 1971 and 1979.

### 1 January 1984

At 00:01 midnight of 1 January 1984, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah read the Declaration of Independence:
   Whereas, the time has now arrived when Brunei Darussalam will resume full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent nation in the community of nations. And whereas, via the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the United Kingdom..... Brunei Darussalam's restoration of full independence and the return of full responsibility for defense and foreign affairs to the person of the Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei from HM the Queen has been set to happen on the first day of January of 1984, as agreed upon and under the provisions of said Treaty.
Upon the reading of the proclamation, Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the father of His Majesty, led three cries of "Allahu Akbar" among the 30,000 people gathered at the Padang Besar (present day Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien). After the national anthem Allah Peliharakan Sultan was played, 21-gun salute was fired to celebrate the event, and the sounds of the hadrah resounded around the field. That evening, the capital Bandar Seri Begawan was packed to the gills with people praying for a smooth handover outside the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the field despite the heavy rain. Notwithstanding the fact that Brunei proclaimed its independence on 1 January, the date for National Day was chosen as 23 February. Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium was chosen as the location for the celebrations. The Acting Chief Minister (Menteri Besar), Abdul Aziz, presided over the preparations.

### Attendance

Several key figures of the Commonwealth and countries' representatives attended the celebration, such as:
* Charles, Prince of Wales
* Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, King of Tonga
* Suharto, President of Indonesia
* Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Philippines
* Zia-ul-Haq, President of Pakistan

## Themes

There have been multiple themes used for the celebration of national day such as;
| Year(s) | Theme | Translation |
| 1985 | Bersatu Padu Menghayati Konsep Negara Melayu Islam Beraja | United to Appreciate the Concept of Malay Islamic State |
| 1986 | Membangun Negara Tanggungjawab Bersama | Building a Country of Mutual Responsibility |
| 1987 | Bersatu Ke arah Keamaan dan Kemajuan | United Towards Prosperity and Progress |
| 1988 | Berdisiplin Cergas Berbudaya Negara Bahagia | Disciplined Healthy Cultured Happy Country |
| 1989 | Berdikari Meningkatkan Kemakmuran Negara | Self-reliance Increases National Prosperity |
| 1990 | Perhubungan Berkesan Mengeratkan Perpaduan | Relationships Effectively Strengthen Unity |
| 1991 | Bersatu Padu Mengekalkan Ketahanan Nasional | United Maintains National Resilience |
| 1992 | Menanai Kedaulatan Tanahairku | Surviving the Sovereignty of My Homeland |
| 1993 | Meneguhkan Kesejahteraan Tanahairku | Strengthening the Well-being of My Homeland |
| 1994 | Bangsa Cemerlang Tanahair Gemilang | Outstanding Nation of the Homeland |
| 1995 | Brunei Darussalam Tanahairku | Brunei Darussalam My Homeland |
| 1996 | Pembangunan Masyarakat Matlamat Negara | Community Development National Goals |
| 1997 | Kemajuan Ekonomi Teras Kesejahteraan | Core Economic Progress of Wellbeing |
| 1998 | Membina Insan Yang Sempurna Dengan Pendidikan Bersepadu | Building the Perfect Human With Integrated Education |
| 1999 | Siap Siaga Ke Alaf Baru | Ready For The New Millennium |
| 2000 | Mengukuhkan Jati Diri Bangsa Di Alaf Baru | Strengthening the Nation's Self-Reliance In The New Millennium |
| 2001 | Maju Bangsaku Sejahtera Negaraku | Forward My Nation of My Country |
| 2002 | Memperkasa Keupayaan Bangsa | Empowering the Nation's Capabilities |
| 2003 | Bangsa Berilmu Negara Maju | Knowledgeable Nation of the Developed Country |
| 2004 | Patriotisme Teras Keteguhan Negara | Patriotism at the Core of National Strength |
| 2005 | Bersepadu Memperkasa Mandiri Bangsa | Integrated Empowering the Nation |
| 2006 | Mempertingkatkan Daya Saing Bangsa | Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Nation |
| 2007 | Iltizam Memperkasa Keupayaan Bangsa | Commitment to Empowering the Nation's Capabilities |
| 2008 | Tunas Bangsa | Budding Nation |
| 2009 | Kedewasaan Bernegara | Country Adulthood |
| 2010–2013 | Negaraku Brunei Darussalam | My Country Brunei Darussalam |
| 2014–2016 | Generasi Berwawasan | Visionary Generation |
| 2017–2023 | Menjayakan Wawasan Negara | Successing The National Vision |
| 2024-2025 | Bersatu Mencapai Cita Negara | United to Achieve the National Aspiration |