The Romans
Portugal!
They were independent republics.
a monarchy
They were independent republics.
Finland has been a part of both Russia and Sweden before it became independent on the 6th of December 1917.
They were independent republics
Mexico was known as New Spain before it gained independence from Spain in 1821.
English is the official language of Guyana, which used to be the colony of British Guiana before becoming independent in 1966.
Swaziland was a protectorate of the United Kingdom
Great Britain, in the British mandate
Yes. It became an independent republic from 1836 until 1846.