Zambia's flag is one of the most colourful in the world. The main green background stands for the country's land and forests. There are three vertical stripes on the right side: red (for the struggle to become a country), black (for the Zambian people) and orange (for the country's copper). On top of the stripes is an eagle - the African fish eagle.
On Independence Day, the biggest celebrations take place in the capital city, Lusaka. The president gives a speech. Schoolchildren from all over the country march in parades. There are concerts, fireworks, traditional dancing and football matches. Many families have big meals together at home.
All over Zambia, schools spend the days leading up to Independence Day learning songs, practising marching and decorating classrooms in the flag's colours. Some classes write letters to leaders or draw pictures of what makes them proud to be Zambian. It is a big moment for the whole school year.
Zambia is a young country. In 2024 it celebrated its 60th Independence Day - which means many grandparents alive today remember when the country was born. Children get to hear stories from people who were there. That is a special way to learn history: directly from someone who lived through it.