March 11 is Moshoehoe Day in Lethoso. Completely surrounded by South Africa, Lethoso is one of only three countries totally contained within another country, the other two being San Marino and the Vatican, both of which are entirely within Italy.

Moshoeshoe I (c. 1786 – 11 March 1870) was a south African chieftain best known for uniting several African tribes and successfully warding off the attacks of the Zulu warlord Shaka. His death in 1870 marked the end of the traditional era and the beginning of the colonial period.

Lesotho declared independence from the United Kingdom on 4 October 1966. It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the South African Development Community.