India Independence Day
World ObservancesLast updated:
What Is India Independence Day?
August 15 is "India Independence Day," commemorating India's independence from British rule in 1947. It is one of the most significant national holidays in India.
Independence Won After a Long Struggle
India spent many years under British colonial rule before achieving independence on August 15, 1947, following independence movements that included Mahatma Gandhi's campaigns of nonviolent civil disobedience.
- Year of independence: August 15, 1947
- First Prime Minister: Independence was achieved under Jawaharlal Nehru
- Significance: One of India's largest holidays, symbolizing liberation from colonial rule
- National holiday: One of India's three national holidays, along with Republic Day (January 26) and Gandhi's birthday (October 2)
Celebrations Across the Nation
On this day, the Prime Minister raises the national flag and delivers an address from the Red Fort in Delhi, while the tricolor flag is raised across the country amid parades and ceremonies.
Partition and the "Tryst with Destiny"
British India became independent as two countries: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, whose Independence Day falls a day earlier, on August 14. Late on the night of August 14, Nehru, about to become the first Prime Minister, told the Constituent Assembly: "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom." The speech is known as "Tryst with Destiny." Partition was also accompanied by mass migration and violence that claimed many lives -- a part of this history that should not be forgotten.
How to Spend Today
- Learn about the history of India's independence movement
- Read about figures like Gandhi and Nehru who worked toward independence
- Enjoy Indian cuisine as a way to connect with the culture
- Learn about the meaning behind India's national flag
Celebrating a Nation's Journey Toward Freedom
India Independence Day celebrates a historic milestone when a nation began charting its own course. On August 15, take a moment to reflect on the origins of the world's largest democracy.