Benin

Beninese students. *Photo from Wikipedia August 1 is National Day, celebrates the independence of Benin from France in 1960. From the 17th to the 19th century, the main political entities in the area were the Kingdom of Dahomey. This region was referred to as the Slave Coast from as early as the 17th century due to the large number of slaves shipped to the New World during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. After slavery was abolished, France took over the country and renamed it French Dahomey. In 1960, Dahomey gained full independence from France and On November 30, 1975, Lt. Col.