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Independence Day

About Independence Day

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When is Independence Day

The Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 every year to commemorate India’s freedom from the British rule in 1947. After independence, India became the world's largest democracy after the UK Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, 1947, transferring legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly.
 
The Independence Day also marks the anniversary of undivided India’s partition into India and Pakistan.
 
On the eve of India’s independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime minister, had said in his ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech: "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom."

Independence Day LIVE updates: Modi to lead celebrations, speak at Red Fort
 
What happens on Independence Day?
 
Every year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at Delhi’s Red Fort and makes an address to the nation, which is followed by a military parade. The President of India also delivers the ‘address to the nation’ speech. In honour of the occasion, twenty-one gun shots are fired.
 
This day is observed as a national holiday across India, with offices, banks and post offices remaining closed. Independence Day is observed with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events in all Indian states and Union Territories.
 
Preparations for the Independence Day start a month in advance. Schools and colleges organise cultural events, competitions, debates, speeches, and quiz competitions.
 
Background of the Independence Day
 
India's struggle for independence started in 1857 with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut and it gained momentum after the First World War. In 20th century, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian National Congress (INC) and other political organisations launched a countrywide independence movement and revolt against the oppressive British rule.
 
During the Second World War in 1942, the Indian Congress launched the Quit India Movement demanding an end to the British rule which prompted colonial rulers detaining many campaigners, nationalists, and ministers including Gandhi.
 
During the partition of India in 1947, violent riots, mass casualties, and displacement of nearly 15 million people took place amid religious violence.

Latest Updates on Independence Day

The PM called for steps to be taken to promote ease of living on a mission mode to ensure that common people have access to an affordable, dignified lifestyle and basic amenities

Updated On: 03 Dec 2024 | 3:16 PM IST

According to Cleartrip, the top domestic destinations include Pondicherry, where hotel bookings have spiked 760 per cent, followed by Udaipur, which is seeing a 441 per cent spike in hotel bookings

Updated On: 12 Aug 2024 | 7:13 PM IST

A four-member team of cyclists completed 53,000 kilometres across six ASEAN countries in over a month as part of an expedition undertaken to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence

Updated On: 05 Mar 2023 | 5:50 PM IST

State Minister for External Affairs V Muraleedharan will represent India at Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day celebrations to be held here on Saturday and hold bilateral interactions with President

Updated On: 03 Feb 2023 | 1:39 PM IST

In a statement, Pfaff also noted that the countries Netaji had approached were the only ones willing to support the fight against a common adversary

Updated On: 22 Jan 2023 | 10:26 PM IST

The celebrations will start on September 17, 2022, and end on September 17, 2023

Updated On: 14 Sep 2022 | 3:39 PM IST

For the next 25 years, the panellists picked equitable wealth distribution as the biggest issue to be addressed

Updated On: 07 Sep 2022 | 11:25 PM IST

Any strategy for the next 25 years must be ready for both positive and negative episodes

Updated On: 29 Aug 2022 | 11:17 PM IST

From Supreme Court's hearing on review plea of PMLA, remission order of Bilkis Bano convicts, to latest Covid and Russia-Ukraine war updates, catch all the latest news here

Updated On: 25 Aug 2022 | 3:01 PM IST

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao will attend the closing ceremony of "Swatantra Bharat Vajrotsavalu" on Monday

Updated On: 22 Aug 2022 | 7:44 AM IST

As many as 2.25 million school children in Telangana have watched Richard Attenborough's movie 'Gandhi' which is being screened by state government as part of celebration of 75 years of independence.

Updated On: 19 Aug 2022 | 11:33 AM IST

What the five resolutions to make India a developed nation in 25 years really mean

Updated On: 18 Aug 2022 | 10:28 PM IST

Infiniti Malls said both its malls witnessed a considerable increase in footfalls and sales compared to 2019

Updated On: 18 Aug 2022 | 12:21 AM IST

The national flag hoisted on the premises of 150 ASI monuments on the 75th anniversary of India's independence will flutter permanently, except at sites where flagpoles are unlit after dark.

Updated On: 17 Aug 2022 | 11:51 AM IST

A decline in domestic headline retail inflation to a five-month low in July also bolstered the appetite for bonds

Updated On: 18 Aug 2022 | 1:35 AM IST

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar extended his wishes to the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia and Gabon on their Independence Day and expressed confidence in the bilateral ties with both nations

Updated On: 17 Aug 2022 | 10:28 AM IST

India's top typographers at Rediffusion Design Studios have been working hard for the past six months to create a font that would be intrinsically and eternally Indian

Updated On: 18 Aug 2022 | 12:53 AM IST

More than 2.36 cr national flags worth over Rs 6 cr were procured by different government departments and states from public buying portal GeM from July 1 - August 15, according to an official data

Updated On: 16 Aug 2022 | 5:15 PM IST

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi setting the 'Panch Pran' (five resolves) target during his Independence Day speech, the ruling TRS in Telangana asked as to what happens to his past promises

Updated On: 16 Aug 2022 | 5:00 PM IST

Top American lawmakers, governors and influential officials joined millions of Indian-Americans to celebrate India's I-Day and pledged stronger ties between the world's largest and oldest democracies

Updated On: 16 Aug 2022 | 8:40 AM IST