Tunisia gains independence from France

On 20 March 1956, Tunisia gained its independence from France after two years of negotiations between the French and the Neo-Destour (“New Constitution”) party, which was backed by the trade unions. Tunisia, located below the Mediterranean ocean became a constitutional monarchy with the Bey of Tunis, Muhammad VIII al-Amin Bey, as king. In 1957, Habib Bourguiba the country’s Prime Minister, abolished the monarchy and declared the Republic of Tunisia.