On January 16, 1975 (the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month), Portugal agreed to Angola's independence.

A new country was born on January 16, 1975. After centuries of foreign rule, the people of Angola gained sovereignty under Portugal rule after 13 years of struggle. November 11th is Effective Independence Day. But the agreement signed today has formalized the independence of Angola.

Portugal's military coup in April last year overthrew the Lisbon government, leaving it out of control over Africa's last colony. Divisions between the two sides were set aside at a banquet celebrating the agreement reached today by Portuguese and Angolan government officials.

A 10-month transitional government consisting of the three leading Liberation Movements of Angola, sent equal numbers of representatives.The agreement required three parties to hold elections to establish the Constitutional Assembly.This made Portugal confident that a strong and stable government would be able to replace it before he formally revoked the rule.

Portuguese President Francisco da Costa Gomez said "This agreement is a fundamental step in the process of decolonization.