Category: Events

2nd Anniversary of Independence

11 November 1967

Commemorative Covers

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4th Anniversary of Independence

11 November 1969

Commemorative Covers

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Rhodesia Independence

11 November 1965

The Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) was a statement adopted by the Cabinet of Rhodesia on 11 November 1965, announcing that Rhodesia, a British territory in southern Africa that had governed itself since 1923, now regarded itself as an independent sovereign state.

The culmination of a protracted dispute between the British and Rhodesian governments regarding the terms under which the latter could become fully independent, it was the first unilateral break from the United Kingdom by one of its colonies since the United States Declaration of Independence nearly two centuries before.

Britain, the Commonwealth and the United Nations all deemed Rhodesia’s UDI illegal, and economic sanctions, the first in the UN’s history, were imposed on the breakaway colony. Amid near-complete international isolation, Rhodesia continued as an unrecognised state with the assistance of South Africa and Portugal.

Commemorative Cover

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Golden Jubilee of Parliament in Rhodesia

30 May 1974

The 30 May 1974, marked the Golden Jubilee of Rhodesia’s Parliament, for it was on Friday, 30 May 1924, that the first session of the first Parliament was officially opened by the first Governor, His Excellency Sir John Chancellor, K.C.M.G., D.S.O.

The first Parliament, elected in terms of the 1923 Constitution, made provision for a Legislative Assembly consisting of thirty members together with a presiding officer, designated the Speaker, who was not required to be a member of the Assembly.
The 1923 Constitution served Rhodesia for some thirty-eight years and under it nine Parliaments were elected.

A special exhibition was held 23-31 May to celebrate the Jubilee.

Commemorative Cachet

Commemorative Covers

Reference

• The Golden Jubilee of Parliament 1924-1974 (pdf)

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Mazoe Valley Special

29 October 1972

The Mazoe Valley Special was a train ride between Salisbury and Glendale that was organised by the Mashonaland Branch of the Rhodesiana Society and the Rhodesia Railways Historical Society commemorating the last steam-hauled service on the Salisbury-Shamva line before being replaced by diesel-electric locomotives.

Commemorative Cachet

A Temporary Post Office was organised in the “Railway Museum coach” on the train. On this occasion the Salisbury Station date stamp was used, even though this was on a Sunday, and a special “Travelling Post Office/Mazoe Valley Special” handstamp in violet was used.

It is probable that the violet handstamp was not used for actual postage, but does appear on cover as a cachet with the Salisbury station postmark

Commemorative Covers

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Cuboree 74

25-30 April 1974

Cuboree 74 was an international gathering of cub scouts and their leaders. It was held at Ruwa Park, Rhodesia.

Commemorative Covers

Postcards

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Lions International District 412 Convention

18 May 1978

Lions International District 412 held their 1974 convention in Bulawayo, Rhodesia.

Commemorative Covers

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