Madeleine M. R. Mezagopian

Today, the people of Jordan come together with great joy, with utmost pride and with absolute unwavering loyalty to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the independence of their state the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Through borrowing Britannica’s definition of the Independence Day as below
“A national day holiday commemorating the anniversary of a country’s founding or its liberation from foreign rule.”
And while keeping in mind that on such occasions some countries celebrate the founding of a form of a government e.g. constitutional monarchy. It is enlightening to contemplate briefly on the historical developments preceding Jordan’s independence and detect its proper background and its relevance to present history.

During 1516-1918, Jordan was part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1916 Jordan got liberated from Ottoman control through the Great Arab Revolt launched by Sharif Hussein bin Ali of Mecca thus complementing the victories of the Arab and British forces. After a short period of being part of the Arab Kingdom of Syria, Transjordan was left in a period of interregnum without established ruler or occupying power, a no man’s land, during July 25, 1920 until the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan on April 11, 1921 by Prince Abdullah bin Hussein. In 1922, Transjordan Emirate became a British protectorate under the League of Nations mandate.*

Following World War II, Jordanian and British governments entered into negotiations for Jordan’s independence which were finalized in the Treaty of London in 1946 that transformed the Emirate into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which became a full member of the United Nations in 1955.

During UK mandate of Transjordan, UK helped Transjordan become a modern state on institutional and security levels and established the Arab Legion under British command. **

Yes, today is the 80th birthday of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as an independent modern state with constitutional monarchy government after quarter a century under the British mandate, a mandate which was far from being an occupation with devastating impacts as it was the situation prior to the Great Arab Revolt. A mandate which contributed in building Jordan as a modern state with well-established institutions and army. A mandate which did not deplete Jordan’s natural resources and endangered Jordan’s natural environment. And foremost a mandate which didn’t hijack the local Jordanian cultural identity starting with its classical Arabic language, Jordan’s hospitality and Jordan’s being a safe haven for whomever seeks refuge starting with Jordan welcoming with great compassion and tolerance Armenian refugees seeking refuge after the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottomans pre, during and post 1915.

Today, given the positive memories and the constructive partnership during the British mandate, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Kingdom enjoy great constructive cooperation on political, commercial and educational levels. And not least, Jordan remains the country of great rich far and near history where its archeological sites stand as best testimony and attract tourists from all over the world including from the United Kingdom, tourists enjoying the diverse natures of the Kingdom, and not least the Christian religious tourism with the presence of several sites that witnessed the steps of Jesus Christ starting with the Baptism site.

Yes, Jordan is an independent state with wise leadership echoing clearly and firmly the voice of its people, the people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan who are also independent with their loyalty only to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to its army and to its security apparatuses. The Arab Army with its leader His Majesty King Abdullah II and the security apparatuses, who through preserving the security and the safety of its people and consolidating the independence of the Kingdom during the current historical stage of existential threatening developments amid a volatile region and world, are but exemplary entities to be followed .
Today, Jordan rightfully is celebrating its independence which is an ongoing de jure and de facto state of serving only the interests of its people while always responding to the needs of those in pain whether on its territories or wherever they are.

Yes, today is a day of pride, a day the people of Jordan celebrate anew the birth of their independent state, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the birth of the enlightened constitutional Monarchy that best advocates human security at home and worldwide.
Long Live the independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under its wise enlightened Leadership, through its loyal citizens and empowered by its devoted Arab Army and security apparatuses.
Amman, Jordan, May 25, 2026

* Britain’s support to establishing Arab monarchies by the sons of Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca in former territories of the Ottoman Empire, became known as the Sharifian Solution. As with regard the British mandate of Transjordan, it was established under the League of Nations as the Emirate of Jordan (Wikipedia).

** The Arab Legion established in 1920 was the police force and later the regular army of the Emirate of Transjordan and subsequently of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Arab Legion remained as a British commanded force until March 1, 1956 when British senior officers were replaced with Jordanian ones and was renamed the “Arab Army” (Wikipedia).