Republic of Dahomey

Republic of Dahomey République du Dahomey (French)
1958–1975
Flag (1958—1964) (1964—1975) Coat of arms
Motto:  "Fraternité, Justice, Travail" (French) Fraternity, Justice, Labour
Anthem: L'Aube nouvelle (French) "The Dawn of a New Day"
Capital	Porto-Novo
Common languages	French, Yoruba, Fon
Government	Unitary one-party presidential republic (1960–1963, 1964–1965, 1968–1970) Unitary military dictatorship (1963–1964, 1965–1968, 1972–1975) under a triumvirate council (1970–1972) under a Marxist–Leninist state (1974–1975)[1]
President
• 1960–1963	Hubert Maga
• 1972–1975	Mathieu Kérékou
Prime Minister
• 1960	Hubert Maga
• 1967–1968	Maurice Kouandété
Historical era	Cold War
• Self-governing colony	4 December 1958
• Independence	1 August 1960
• Renamed	30 November 1975
Currency	CFA franc
ISO 3166 code	DY
Preceded by Succeeded by French Dahomey Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá People's Republic of Benin
Today part of	Benin

History of Benin
History of the Kingdom of Dahomey
Early history
Great Ardra c. 1100–1724 Oyo Empire c. 1300–1836 Songhai Empire c. 1464–1591 Kingdom of Akwamu c. 1480–1734 Atlantic slave trade c. 1500–1800 Dutch Slave Coast c. 1660–1760 Kingdom of Whydah c. 1580–1728 Kingdom of Dahomey c. 1600–1904 Annual Customs c. 1730–1904
Modern period
First Franco-Dahomean War 1890 Second Franco-Dahomean War 1892–1894 French Dahomey 1894–1958 French West Africa 1895–1958 Republic of Dahomey 1958–1975 Soglo coup 1963 Kérékou coup 1972 People's Republic of Benin 1975–1990 Mercenary coup attempt 1977 Republic of Benin 1990–present
Category Commons Africa portal
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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.