<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 29 January 1968
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> own Acts of Parliament and British common law
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state and head of government:</hi> President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989); election last held 19 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results—Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the president from the parliament
<item><hi format=bold>Parliament:</hi> elections last held on 14 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results—percent of vote NA; seats—(18 total) independents 18
<item><hi format=bold>US diplomatic representation:</hi> the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru