1964 — Tanzania Is Born

On April 26, 1964, Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar merged into a single republic, the United Republic of Tanzania. The union came months after Zanzibar's January revolution overthrew the Sultan, and two years after Tanganyika's independence under Julius Nyerere. Nyerere became president of the new state, joining a mainland nation and an island into one republic by agreement.

Tanzania made itself a capital of liberation, sheltering exiled freedom fighters from across southern Africa. April 26 is still celebrated as Union Day, a rare African anniversary of nations choosing to come together rather than coming apart, on the mainland and the island alike.