- By Supratik Das
- Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:23 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Independence Day 2025: With sunrise this morning, the Red Fort in Delhi became India's Independence Day celebration hub once again. The Prime Minister unfurled the tricolour, a 21-gun salute echoed across the historic ramparts, and the national anthem rang out. It's a ceremony deeply ingrained in the country's psyche since Jawaharlal Nehru's first flag-hoisting in 1947, the day India gained freedom after almost 200 years of British occupation. But August 15 is not just India's tale. Everywhere else in the world, a couple of other nations celebrate this day as a turning point in their history. For them, it was the culmination of occupation; for others, the dawn of a new political era.
Here's a peek at five countries that, in rather divergent ways, share this date with India.
India: Freedom At Midnight
The night of August 14–15, 1947, saw the end of the British Raj and the start of India's independence. The transition arrived sooner than scheduled, originally a June 1948 affair — after Viceroy Lord Mountbatten moved the date forward, selecting August 15 for its historical connection to Japan's surrender in World War II. Everywhere in India, the day is marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural events, flying kites, and saffron-dyed and streets awash in saffron, white, and green. Families come together for community celebrations, schools organise patriotic skits and songs, and the air resonates with the beating of drums, speeches, and cheers.
Korea (North And South): Liberation From Japan
Both North and South Korea celebrate August 15 as Gwangbokjeol, or "Restoration of Light Day." On August 15, 1945, Japan's surrender put an end to 35 years of colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula. The celebration of freedom, however, was followed by division. The north fell under Soviet control, the south to Americans, and within three years, a divided state formed — a division that continues to define the politics of the region. Despite this, however, both Koreas mark the day with national ceremonies, concerts, and remembrance of the soldiers who fought for their nation.
Bahrain: A Quiet Milestone
The independence of Bahrain from Britain arrived on August 15, 1971, as certified by a United Nations-supported survey. But in contrast to India, the nation does not observe the date as a public holiday. National Day is instead commemorated on December 16 to mark the accession of the late Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Though August 15 rolls by without parades and fireworks, it is an influential page in Bahrain's recent history, the day it officially entered the community of free nations.
Republic Of The Congo: Exit From French Barriers
On the 15th of August, 1960, the Republic of the Congo gained independence from France. It was just one of a tidal wave of decolonisation that reshaped Africa in the 1960s. In the capital, Brazzaville, the day is marked by military parades, street parties, and cultural performances. The events each year celebrate the battle for independence and the pride of the nation.
Liechtenstein: National Day In Alps
In the small European principality of Liechtenstein, August 15 is National Day, a holiday that combines royal custom with religious observance. The date was established in 1940 to coincide with the Catholic Feast of the Assumption of Mary and the birthday of Prince Franz Josef II. The celebrations focus on Vaduz Castle, where the princely family holds an open reception. People assemble in the castle grounds, listen to music, speeches, and cuisine, and see fireworks illuminate the mountain horizon.
From Delhi to Vaduz, August 15 is a weight that transcends the date on the calendar. For India, it's a day of pride and memory. For Korea, it's liberation. For Bahrain and Congo, it's independence. For Liechtenstein, it's unity. For all of them, it's a nod to the struggles that forged their identities, and the freedoms they now fight to preserve.