COUNTRIES WHO CELEBRATE THEIR FREEDOM ON 15 AUGUST WITH INDIA
August 15 holds immense importance for every Indian since it is on this day in 1947 that the country attained its rightful independence from the United Kingdom, ending nearly two centuries of colonial rule. However, India is not the only country that marks Independence Day on August 15; there are nations around the world where people also mark August 15 on their calendars as a national day.
The countries, in addition to India, which mark a national day on August 15 are – North Korea, South Korea, Bahrain, Liechtenstein and Congo.
Here’s all you need to know about the significance that August 15 holds for these countries:-
NORTH KOREA AND SOUTH KOREA
Both North Korea and South Korea celebrate August 15 annually as the National Liberation Day of Korea, since it is on this day at the end of World War II that 35 years of Japanese occupation and colonial rule over Korea came to an end with the help of allied forces who fought in the war.
In South Korea, the day is known as ‘Gwangbokjeol’ (meaning, “the day the light returned”), while in North Korea it is known as ‘Chogukhaebangŭi nal’ (meaning, “Liberation of the Fatherland Day).
BAHRAIN
Bahrain, which also experienced British colonial rule, declared its independence on August 15, 1971, more than two decades after India attained its own freedom. The independence in Bahrain followed a United Nations survey of the Bahraini population, subsequent to which the British announced a withdrawal of troops east of Suez in the early 1960s.
Independence Day in Bahrain was marked by the signing of a treaty between the nation and the United Kingdom. However, the country does not celebrate its Independence Day on this date. Instead, it celebrates December 16 as National Day to mark the ascension of the late ruler Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the throne.
LIECHTENSTEIN
Liechtenstein, a German-speaking microstate situated in the European highlands of the Alps between Austria and Switzerland, marks August 15 as National Day.
The day was chosen since it was already a bank holiday; the Assumption of Mary is celebrated on August 15. Secondly, the ruling prince at the time, Prince Franz Josef II, was born on August 16. Therefore, Liechtenstein’s national holiday was created by combining the Feast of the Assumption and the Prince’s birthday.
CONGO
The Republic of the Congo became fully independent from France on 15 August 1960. Youlou ruled as the country’s first president until labor elements and rival political parties instigated a three-day uprising that ousted him.
The region was dominated by Bantu-speaking tribes at least 3,000 years ago, who built trade links leading into the Congo River basin. Congo was formerly part of the French colony of Equatorial Africa. The Republic of the Congo was established on 28 November 1958 and gained independence from France in 1960.
It was a Marxist–Leninist state from 1969 to 1992, under the name People’s Republic of the Congo. The sovereign state has had multi-party elections since 1992, although a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 Republic of the Congo Civil War, and President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who first came to power in 1979, has ruled for almost 4 decades.
Yet, French is still the official language of the Republic of the Congo.
So, this is what makes 15 August a special and an auspicious day to celebrate, INDEED!
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