After being a colony of Italy for more than three decades, Libya gained its independence on December 24, 1951. The road to independence was long and difficult, with several uprisings and revolts by Libyan nationalists. However, following World War II, the United Nations passed a resolution declaring that Libya should gain independence as a sovereign state, and the San Francisco Conference of 1945 recognized the country's right to self-determination. Finally, in December 1951, the independence agreement was signed, establishing the United Libyan Kingdom as a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. This marked the beginning of a new era for Libya, but also led to further political and social changes, including the eventual abolition of the monarchy in 1969.