Date of Independence: India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, after nearly 200 years of colonial rule.
Midnight Speech: Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, delivered the iconic "Tryst with Destiny" speech at midnight on August 14-15, 1947, marking the moment of independence.
Flag Hoisting: The first Indian national flag was hoisted by Nehru at the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947. The tradition continues annually with the Prime Minister raising the flag.
Partition: Independence came with the partition of India and Pakistan, leading to one of the largest migrations in history, with millions displaced.
National Anthem: "Jana Gana Mana," written by Rabindranath Tagore, was officially adopted as India’s national anthem in 1950 but was sung at independence celebrations in 1947.
Lord Mountbatten’s Role: The last British Viceroy, Lord Louis Mountbatten, oversaw the transfer of power and chose August 15 as it coincided with the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
No Official Holiday Initially: August 15 wasn’t a public holiday in the early years; it was later declared one to commemorate the occasion.
Gandhi Ji’s Absence: Mahatma Gandhi did not attend the celebrations in Delhi on August 15, 1947, as he was in Kolkata, working to quell communal violence.