The Ottoman Empire ruled Libya from the middle of the 16th century. Following the Italo-Turkish War of 1912, Libya became an Italian colony.
The Italians lost control of Libya after their defeat in World War II. The United Nations took over the country's administration. France and Britain shared control, with France overseeing Fezzan and the British controlling Cyrenaica and Tripolitania.
The United Nations General Assembly recognised Libya's independence on January 1, 1952. Libya gained independence from France and Britain on December 24, 1951, establishing the United Kingdom of Libya as a constitutional and hereditary monarchy ruled by King Idris.
This holiday has been observed since 2011 when Muammar Gaddafi was deposed, and it replaced the anniversary of the 1969 coup that propelled Gadaffi to power.
