Independence from France: 20 March 1956
Home of the Zenata Berbers for many centuries, Tunisia is linked to all the great North African/Mediterranean empires: Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman and finally the French. Tunisia became a French protectorate in 1883. It was invaded by the Axis during the Second World War, but was returned to French rule when the Axis were defeated. Independence was achieved in 1956.
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• History of Tunisia