On Saturday, tens of thousands of southerners flocked -- some even ran in their high heels and dress clothes -- to a fitting site for the main independence ceremony: the burial grounds of their fallen hero and former leader, Dr. John Garang.
“We were bombed, maimed, enslaved, treated worse than a refugee in our own country, but we have to forgive, although we will not forget,” Mr. Kiir said in his speech to the masses, a couple hours after he took the oath of office as the first elected president of the South Sudan.
At moments during the day-long ceremony, it was clear that some citizens of the fledgling country could hardly contain their joy.
Cries of "Hallelujah!" and "Freedom!" rang out and rippled through the crowd. Some jumped into the air and roared with delight as the southern flag reached the top of a towering flag pole, symbolic of the accession of the new state to the international community.
World leaders offer praise
The United States and Britain were among the first nations to recognize Africa's 54th country.
"My country, too, was born amid struggle and strife on a July day," US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told the teeming and sweaty cround on Saturday. "On this day, the world’s oldest democracy welcomes the world’s newest state."
"Independence was not a gift you were given. Independence is a prize you have won," Ms. Rice said. "Yet even on this day of jubilee we remain mindful of the challenges that await us. No true friend would offer false comfort. The path ahead will be steep ... but the Republic of South Sudan is being born amid great hopes."
A host of African heads of state also attended, including South Sudan's historic enemy, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
It took the appearance of what Piers Morgan dubbed "the world's most famous couple," the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to make Hollywood's biggest names gush and worry about protocol.
"They make me smile," said Nicole Kidman, in a blue-grey Elie Saab gown. "I love them."
"I think they're bigger than stars," said Zooey Deschanel, in a gold tea-length Oscar De La Renta dress.
She worried that the area near the BAFTA event at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles might look shabby to the regal couple.
"I just don't want them to see the worst of L.A.," said Deschanel.
Others spoke about not being sure how to act around royalty.
"No noogies, I know that's not allowed," said Paul Rudd. "You can only do that with an earl."
Added Rudd: "I tend to hug people if I'm nervous. Or kiss them on the cheek. When it's awkward, I fall into that trap a lot."
"I'm very excited, but slightly terrified as well," said Harry Lloyd, a British actor chosen as 42 honored "Brits to Watch" by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) which sponsored Saturday night's event.
"There are kind of a lot of opportunities to put your foot in your mouth tonight," Lloyd said.
They were reassured en masse in the ballroom by Duncan Kenworthy, vice chairman of BAFTA who urged the celebrity-packed audience to be at ease around the royal couple.
He told the 250 guests in the ballroom: "They want to meet all of you. They will try and chat with all of you this evening. When you meet them, you don't have to bow and curtsy. You can call them whatever you feel. Your Royal highness, Sir, Ma'am, William and Kate, just as the mood takes you. They are here to have fun. They are really relaxed, as I'm sure you are."
The royal newlyweds did indeed look relaxed. William and Catherine, radiant in a lavender-grey gown by Alexander McQueen and earrings lent to her by the Queen, flew in on a helicopter from the Santa Barbara polo grounds — where William scored four goals in a charity match — to this black-tie event. They quickly strode down the red carpet at around about 8 pm. after arriving surrounded by police escorts in a black right-hand drive Range Rover, one of a fleet of nine dark SUVs.
By the time they arrived, greeted and shook hands with a gathered crowd of family and friends of the event's production, the stars had already gone into the ballroom, with the exception of director Quentin Tarantino who showed up late, looking casual in sneakers and shades at the black-tie event. Several hundred people gathered nearby, screaming when the royals arrived.
The biggest stars on hand, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks and Jennifer Lopez, scurried along the red carpet, avoiding reporters. Equally press-averse were celebrities such as James Gandolfini, Jennifer Garner and Blake Lively, who did model her stunning Marchesa steel-gray, one-shouldered gown.
Jonah Hill, said he was eager to meet the couple "I'll bombard my way in there," said the actor, almost unrecognizable in a blondish crewcut and considerably slimmed down. "I never met a prince or princess. I met Prince though."
Several celebrities described the couple as friendly, down-to-earth and strikingly attractive.
"They seem like a very nice, young, normal couple," said Jason Bateman.
"They're a breath of fresh air," said celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
William, the Duke of Cambridge, is the president of BAFTA and addressed the Hollywood luminaries as well as the 42 "Brits to Watch" at Los Angeles' Belasco entertainment complex—built in the early 1900s and recently renovated for $12 million.
"Before I start I'd like to thank Colin Firth for my perfect opening line: 'I have a voice'," said William, in a slightly husky one, after an afternoon spent playing polo.
"I am immensely proud of the success Brits have had in the fiercely competitive world of film, television and video games," said William. "Their creative and hi-tech achievements have contributed greatly to our national wealth, not to mention our personal pleasure."
"When American and British creative talent gets together, magic happens," he said. " Let's continue the winning formula. Catherine and I have been hugely looking forward to tonight's event with its exciting cast, British and American….I believe great things will result."
His concluding phrase drew an appreciative laugh: "Lights, Camera, Action."
William and Catherine spoke first to Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman, then greeted each of the 42 recipients, speaking to each individually and later ate dinner, which consisted of a courgette and mint tian with a lemon and pine nut gremolata, shaved manchego and a courgette blossom flower garnish to start; and a filet of beef with creamed leeks, pickled garlic, asparagus, turnip, baby onions, potato fondant, and a red wine sauce. Guests drank from gold goblets and ate from antique-style plates at tables dressed with blooms of English dahlias and roses.
For dessert, guests enjoyed a version of the British dessert Eton Mess featuring English rose meringue, strawberries, cream, sugar-dusted edible rose petals and pulled sugar.
Seated at the royal table were Nicole Kidman, Barbra Streisand, James Brolin and Donna Langley co-chairman of Universal Pictures, Duncan Kenworthy as well as the prince's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, diplomat Sir David Manning and British consul-general Dame Barbara Hay, who hosted a private party for the royals at her Hancock Park home on Friday evening.
Other guests at the event included Anna Kournikova, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Banks, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, Harvey Weinstein, Elizabeth Moss, Berry Gordy, Kristin Chenoweth, Ed Westwick, and Mary-Louise Parker.
The 42 British up and comers included actors, directors, writers, producers, editors, composers, animators, cinematographers, production designers, video game designers and visual effects artists.
One of those chosen for his promise, TV director Rupert Smith said he received an email inviting him to the event, but initially didn't look closely at it.
"I thought it was an invitation to a cheese and wine thing," he said. "I nearly deleted it."
British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who co-stars in Larry Crowne, said she avidly watched the royal wedding with her mother. "Catherine always looks so effortlessly cool, calm and collected. She's got such a sense of style."
Mbatha-Raw, in a stunning cobalt blue gown by Reem Acra, said she found the wording of her emailed invitation strangely low-key.
"At the bottom, it said 'Let us know if you'd like to attend'," said Mbatha-Raw. "I was like 'Are you kidding me?'"