♦ Goa Liberation Day is observed every year on December 19. It marks the day Indian armed forces freed Goa in 1961 following 450 years of Portuguese rule.

♦ The Portuguese colonised several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19th century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island.

♦ On August 15, 1947, when India gained its Independence, Goa was still under Portuguese rule.  The Portuguese refused to give up their hold over Goa and other Indian territories.

♦ The 36-hour military operation, conducted from December 18, 1961, was code-named ‘Operation Vijay’ and involved attacks by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Army.

♦ In a military operation conducted on 18 and 19 December 1961, Indian troops captured Goa with little resistance from the Portuguese side. Thus Goa was freed from Portuguese rule in 1961.