 Bahrain declared its independence on 15 August 1971, marked by the signing of a friendship treaty with the British that terminated previous agreements between the two sides.Although 15 August is the actual date on which Bahrain gained its independence from the British, the kingdom does not celebrate or mark that date.Instead, the state annually celebrates 16 December as National Day, to coincide with the day that former ruler Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa ascended to the throne.