Yesterday marked the day in 1971 that Qatar officially gained its independence from Britain.

The country used to celebrate the occasion as a national holiday.

However, in 2007, the Father Emir set Dec. 18 as National Day.

That day in 1878 represents when Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammad Bin Thani succeeded his father as leader of the tribes of Qatar.

Well wishes

Though Sept. 3 is no longer an official holiday, many circulated well-wishes on Twitter nonetheless:

https://twitter.com/Nwali_/status/771972854799855616

Happy 45th Birthday #Qatar!

— Mohammed Al-Jufairi (@Halawala) September 3, 2016

https://twitter.com/salderham/status/771960165100818434

Here’s some footage of the signing of the declaration and the various people involved:

The rough translation is:

“Hence, the state of Qatar becomes an independent nation. With total independence. With full authority. It will exercise its international duties by itself, and have have total sovereignty within the country and outside.”

Thoughts?