Republic of Dahomey
Republic of Dahomey République du Dahomey (French) | |||||||||||
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| 1958–1975 | |||||||||||
(1958—1964) (1964—1975) | |||||||||||
Motto:
Fraternity, Justice, Labour | |||||||||||
| Anthem: L'Aube nouvelle (French) "The Dawn of a New Day" | |||||||||||
| Status | Self-governing colony of France (1958–1960) | ||||||||||
| Capital | Porto-Novo | ||||||||||
| Common languages | French, Yoruba, Fon | ||||||||||
| Government | Presidential republic (1960–1963, 1964–1965, 1968–1970) Military dictatorship (1963–1964, 1965–1968, 1972–1975) | ||||||||||
| President | |||||||||||
• 1960–1963 | Hubert Maga | ||||||||||
• 1972–1975 | Mathieu Kérékou | ||||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||||
• 1960 | Hubert Maga | ||||||||||
• 1967–1968 | Maurice Kouandété | ||||||||||
| Vice President | |||||||||||
• 1960–1963 | Sourou-Migan Apithy | ||||||||||
• 1964–1965 | Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin | ||||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||||
| 4 December 1958 | |||||||||||
| 1 August 1960 | |||||||||||
• Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá seized | 1 August 1961 | ||||||||||
• Renamed | 30 November 1975 | ||||||||||
| Currency | CFA franc | ||||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | DY | ||||||||||
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| Today part of | Benin | ||||||||||
| History of Benin |
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| History of the Kingdom of Dahomey |
| Pre-colonial history |
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| Colonial history |
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| Post-colonial history |
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The Republic of Dahomey (French: République du Dahomey; pronounced [daɔmɛ]), simply known as Dahomey (Fon: Danhomè), was established on 4 December 1958, as a self-governing colony within the French Community. Prior to attaining autonomy, it had been French Dahomey, part of the French Union. On 1 August 1960, it attained full independence from France.
In 1975, the country was renamed Benin after the Bight of Benin (which was in turn named after the Kingdom of Benin which had its seat of power in Benin City, modern-day Nigeria), since "Benin" was deemed politically neutral for all ethnic groups in the state, whereas "Dahomey" recalled the Fon-dominated Kingdom of Dahomey.