Two national dates, two constitutional transitions

The government electoral history records universal suffrage in 1960, internal self-government in 1963 and independence on 18 February 1965. The independent state began as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. ^{[gambia-elections]}

A later referendum led to republican status on 24 April 1970. Keeping the two dates distinct avoids projecting the republic back onto the independence ceremony. ^{[gambia-elections]}