Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4, marking its break from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is observed with parades, cultural performances, and national reflections on the country’s progress and democracy. After briefly joining the Mali Federation, Senegal became a fully independent nation in August 1960 when the union dissolved. Léopold Sédar Senghor, a poet and politician, became the first president, with Mamadou Dia as prime minister. Senghor was instrumental in shaping