#Today in History. On the 23rd of February 1854 the Orange Free State gained its. independence. The Orange Free State, an independent republic, was established by Boers who left the Cape Colony in 1836. Located by the Orange River, it is bordered by British Basutoland and Natal to the east, the Transvaal to the north, and Transvaal and Griqualand West to the west.

Its declaration of independence occurred on February 23, 1854, with a Constitution being proclaimed on April 10, 1854, and later revised on February 9, 1866, and May 8, 1879.

The legislative power is held by a popular Assembly, the Volksraad, comprising 57 members elected by adult white male burghers from each district, town, and ward for four-year terms. A biennial election process sees half of the members stepping down to make way for new representatives.