Scots will vote on whether or not the country should become independent on September the 18th in 2014. The long-awaited date for the historic ballot was announced by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. 

I’m honoured to announce that on Thursday 18 September 2014 we will hold Scotland’s referendum#indyref #yes (AA)

— FM Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) March 21, 2013

The referendum will ask the question "Should Scotland be an independent country?".

The Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont welcomed the naming of the date. But she criticised Mr. Salmond for letting Scotland "languish" for another 18 months.

"The truth is Alex Salmond knows if he held the referendum now, he wouldn't just lose it, he would be routed" she said. She also called answers to key questions like what control the Bank of England would have over Scotland and what would happen if Scotland joined the European Union.

The vote is taking place after the Scottish National Party (SNP) won an unprecedented majority in Holyrood in the 2011 election.

Mr. Salmond said it was "the most important legislation to be introduced" since the devolved Scottish Parliament was established in 1999.