31 August 1957: the Federation of Malaya declares independence from the UK

On this day in 1957, after ten years of preparation, the Federation of Malaya became an independent nation.

The Duke of Gloucester, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Malayan Proclamation of Independence ceremony © Central Press/Getty Images
The Duke of Gloucester, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Malayan Proclamation of Independence ceremony
(Image credit: The Duke of Gloucester, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Malayan Proclamation of Independence ceremony ©)

In 1771 the UK set up a trading post on the Malay Peninsula, in the northern province of Penang. Almost 200 years later, on 31 August 1957, the region would establish its own independent government, rebelling from the British and instituting The Federation of Malaya. In a significant move towards decolonisation, the new government united its 11 member states under the new flag, eventually leading to the formation of Malaysia as the nation we know today.

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Jasper Spires

Jasper is a former writer for the MoneyWeek and he wrote on an array of topics including travel, investing in crypto and bitcoin, as well as cars. Previous to that he freelanced at The Art Newspaper, PORT Magazine and The Spectator. Jasper is currently a freelance writer at FAD magazine and he has an English literature degree from the University of Exeter, and a Master's degree from UCL.