Independence Day, is observed annually on 15 August is a national holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the British Empire on 15 August 1947. India attained independence following an Independence Movement noted for largely nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress (INC). Independence coincided with the partition of India, in which the British Indian Empire was divided along religious lines into the Dominions of India and Pakistan; the partition was accompanied by violent riots and mass casualties, and the displacement of nearly 15 million people due to sectarian violence.
On 15 August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had become the first Prime Minister of India that day, raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi. On each subsequent Independence Day, the prime minister has raised the flag and given a speech. The holiday is observed throughout India with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events.There is a national holiday and schools and government offices distribute sweets but no official work is done. - January 26 india Republic Day
광복절(光復節)은 현대 한국에서 기념되는 날로, 매년 양력 8월 15일이다. 대한민국에서는 국경일로 법제화되어 있다. 광복은 문자 그대로 “빛(光)을 되찾음(復)”을 의미하고, 국권을 되찾았다는 뜻으로 쓰인다. 다만 해방 직후 미국과 소련을 통해 전개된 한국의 군정기에 따라 대한민국과 조선민주주의인민공화국으로 분단되었으며, 이후 양측 모두 이 날을 기념하지만 구체적인 의미가 다르다. 대한민국에서는 1945년 8월 15일에 해방되고 1948년 8월 15일에 대한민국 정부를 수립한 과정을 아울러 광복으로 명명하여 기념하고 있으나, 조선민주주의인민공화국에서는 1945년의 민족 해방만을 기념하며 정권 수립은 다른 날짜에 이루어졌으므로 따로 기념한다.(→ 인민정권 창건일)
European traders had established outposts on the Indian subcontinent by the 17th century. Through overwhelming military strength, the British East India company subdued local kingdoms and established themselves as the dominant force by the 18th century. Following the Rebellion of 1857, the Government of India Act 1858 led the British Crown to assume direct control of India. In the decades following, civic society gradually emerged across India, most notably the Indian National Congress Party, formed in 1885. The period after World War I was marked by British reforms such as the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, but it also witnessed the enactment of the repressive Rowlatt Act and calls for self-rule by Indian activists.
The discontent of this period crystallized into nationwide non-violent movements of non-cooperation and civil disobedience, led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. During the 1930s, reform was gradually legislated by the British; Congress won victories in the resulting elections. The next decade was beset with political turmoil: Indian participation in World War II, the Congress' final push for non-cooperation, and an upsurge of Muslim nationalism led by the All-India Muslim League. The escalating political tension was capped by Independence in 1947. The jubilation was tempered by the bloody partition of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan.
