Mauritius Day This day is celebrated annually on 12 March to mark two key events that took place in the history of the country that is independence from Britain in 1968 and it became a republic in 1992. In the brief history we must to know that Mauritius was named by the Dutch in honour of Prince Maurits van Nassau in the 17th century ,and to mark National Day, Mauritians will show their pride in their nation by displaying their colourful flag across the island. An official flag-raising ceremony takes place with military parades and live music.