St. Cloud celebrates Somali Independence Day

The Somali Independence Day celebration from 1-9 p.m. Sunday at Lake George marks the formation of Somalia and also the entrance of Somalis into American culture.

In 1960, Britain withdrew from Somali territory, which allowed people to form a new nation in east Africa. There, a civil war that began in 1991 and has continued for almost 25 years has displaced more than 1 million people.

The actual date of independence is July 1. But the monthlong Muslim time of Ramadan, with daylight fasting, begins at sundown June 17.

The celebration Sunday included music, dancing and food.