August 9 1965

"Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and became the first, and only country to gain independence unwillingly."

See : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_9.

Did you know that ? I did not, and at that time I already was a professional economist, although very focused on the building materials industries in Belgium.

The first country to gain independence unwillingly ? Were there others ? I sincerely hope the southern part of Belgium will not be the next one ...