Independence day in Myanmar is a national holiday in on 4 January. This special holiday holds a great significance in the history of Myanmar,
as it marks the date in 1948 when Myanmar declared its independence from Britain. Independence Day is a major celebration in Myanmar which allows the Burmese individuals to reflect on their nation’s history and independence!
On Jan. 4, 1948, Burma (now officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) marked an end to 60-years of colonial rule as it formally declared independence from Britain. Traditional activities and festivals are held throughout the country to celebrate the season.
This Day January 4, in Myanmar marks: Myanmar Independence Day – Burma Independence Day!
Myanmar Independence History: How Did Myanmar Get Its Independence?
Gaining independence from colonial masters was never so easy for all the nations – and Myanmar is no different. The country won its independence on January 4, 1984, but how did Myanmar get its independence? To know about Myanmar’s independence history, read the short history of Myanmar below.
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Myanmar Colonization: Myanmar Under British Rule (1826 – 1942)
Myanmar is a country that was exposed to the colonization efforts of Great Britain and Japan. To appreciate the Burmese independence movement, you have to know about the important events that happened in Myanmar before World War II. Throughout the 19th century, Great Britain used the resources and labor forces of their colonies to support their economy. To raise efficiency and to keep up with the needs of customers, British companies appeared to enlarge their production potential in Southeast Asia.
After realizing that Burma was fairly decentralized and had an unstable political strategy, Great Britain colonized portions of the nation in 1826. Under colonial rule, the people weren’t submissive. The leader of Burmese ethnic groups joined together to combat with the British forces in Myanmar. These battles became called the three Anglo-Burmese Wars. Burma became a province of British India following Great Britain emerged as the victor in every one these conflicts.
The British took control of parts of Burma throughout the Anglo-Burmese warfare of 1824-26, however, they didn’t establish whole control of the area until 1886. Following Burma became a province of British India, habits and the customs of the people were threatened by an influx of new values. The newly established British government in Burma made things worse while stretching favors to other people while isolating certain Burmese ethnic groups. This resulted in the Burmese people to become more divided than they had been before the British colonized the nation!
Before the outbreak of World War II, there were some moves towards freedom in 1937, when Burma became a separately administered colony of Britain. On 1 April 1937, Myanmar became a separately administered British colony with Ba Maw the Prime Minister and Premier of Myanmar.
Myanmar National Day: Japanese Rule Over Myanmar (then Burma)
In 1942, Japan invaded Burma during World War II and decided to conduct a war against the British. For a time, Japan won many wars against the British – and the aid of Aung San’s Burmese National Army -but ultimately Japan lost San’s support and dropped its own hold in Burma.
Throughout World War II, Japan sought to eliminate the British from Burma and crush them. To do so, Aung San was contacted by a Japanese representative. After being convinced that combating with British was the best approach to attain independence Aung San traveled to Japan to get military training. After he finished his training, Aung San was told that Burma would turn into an independent state if the Burmese military forces supported Japan in successfully defeating the British. Aung San said”Yes” to this offer.
But soon after, Aung San recognized that the Japanese had no intention of relinquishing their hands of Burma following the British had been defeated. After learning this, Aung San advised the British of Japan’s plot and turned to his former Japanese allies. In exchange for this secret information, the British promised Aug San that Burma would be contacted independence if he and his military forces aided the British to crush the Japanese.
Myanmar Wins Independence – Myanmar Gets Freedom From Colonial Rule
In 1945, the Burmese military forces under the command of Gen. San supported the British forces to expel Japanese powers from Burma during World War II. This secret deal between the British and the Burmese came as a terrible shock to the Japanese.
Gen. San’s rule was troubled by battles between Burma’s rival ethnic groups, but he demonstrated a unifying force for the nationalist movement. Following the end of the war and defeat of Japan, in January 1947 the Panglong deal was signed by him with ethnic leaders who guaranteed the independence of Burma as a country.
In 1948, the country turned into an independent republic, named the Union of Burma, using Sao Shwe Thaik as its president and U Nu as its prime minister.
FAQs about Myanmar National Day
We hope that the details mentioned above are enough to give you a complete idea of how Myanmar gained independence, how it marked an end to British and Japanese rule, and how it turned into the independent republic of Myanmar. Here we are sharing some more interesting details about Myanmar’s Independence which will give you an in-depth knowledge of this nation.
When did Burma change to Myanmar? Are Burma and Myanmar the same?
The army controlled government changed the name Burma to Myanmar in 1989, seeing an end to the Socialist state and putting the past behind. The title is known to the official name of the nation at Burmese”Myanma” that has its roots from Mranma, the title that the Bamas gave themselves when first coming from the Irrawaddy River in the 9th century. This was said to be a more inclusive name for the rest of the local ethnic groups, as it was not only the Burmese living in Burma.
How did Myanmar get its independence?
The British established control over some parts of Burma during the Anglo-Burmese war 1824-1826. Full control over the country was established in 1886. For a time, Burma was part of British India, but it became a separately administered colony in 1937.
Japan invaded Burma during World War II and conducted a tough fight. Japan won victories against the British – and had the support of Aung San’s Burmese National Army – but ultimately Japan lost Sans Support along with its particular hold in Burma. As soon as the war had been over the supporters of Aung San snapped a wave of nationalism and so were positioned to take over British control.
How did Burma gain independence from Britain? When did Britain leave Burma?
Back in 1886, Myanmar came under British command. By the day of colonization, there was a solid feeling of resentment from the rule of the British, with Buddhist monks actively playing an important part in the independence movement. On 1 April 1937, Myanmar turned into a separately administered colony of Great Britain and also Ba Maw the Prime Minister and also Premier of Myanmar. In 1940, until Japan entered the Second World War, Aung San shaped the Burma Independence Army in Japan.
By March 1942, over months when they entered the war, Japanese troops had advanced on Yangon and also the British administration had collapsed. A Myanmar Executive Administration was created by the Japanese in August 1942. Beginning in late 1944, allied troops started a series of offensive that led the end of Japanese rule in July 1945.
Observing a World War II,” the Panglong Agreement was negotiated by Aung San with ethnic leaders that ensured the liberty of Myanmar as a unified state. In 1947, Aung San became Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of Burma, a government. However, in 1947, political rivals endorsed from the British killed Aung San and several cabinet members.
On Jan 4, 1948, the state turned into an independent republic named the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik its very first President and U Nu as its very first Prime Minister.
How long did the British rule Burma?
The British ruled Burma (today Myanmar) for more than 100 years!
When did Myanmar get freedom?
Myanmar gained independence on Jan 4, 1948, when the state turned into an independent republic named the Union of Burma. Sao Shwe Thaik became its very first President and U Nu as its very first Prime Minister.
Why did Burma change to Myanmar?
After achieving independence in 1948, the nation underwent a series of military coups. Many regimes use Burma inside their form of the official name of the country until 1989, when the coup directed by General Saw Maung made a decision to change the name to Myanmar. The regime justified the change by stating that Myanmar was more inclusive of minority ethnicity and civilizations in contrast to Burma, a name that was derived by the name of the ethnic majority.
How is Myanmar Independence Day celebrated? January 4 Celebrations in Myanmar
Myanmar celebrates Independence Day on January 4 annually to commemorate the Declaration of Independence of Myanmar from the British monarchy.
- On the independence day, the vice president of Myanmar along with the President address the nation and special tribute is paid to the father of the nation Gen.Aung San as well as other ancient leaders who fought for Myanmar’s independence.
- Places of work such as universities, schools, offices, and markets are all closed. The Independence Day ceremony is coordinated in the capital city by the national authorities and begins at 4:00 am in the morning. Parades are held for Grand Military Review. Across the country, people hold cultural programs and dress in traditional outfits.
- With this one special day, all racial, cultural and political gaps take a back seat and the whole nation comes together to celebrate. Celebrations are held in several different methods, however, usually, the main one point in common is the feeling celebration of nationhood spirit.
- Festive activities like theatres and football matches, athletics contests, poem recitals, are held in towns and villages. A Lot of the games are traditional and can be unique to some city and distinctive to some cultures of that area, for instance, potatoes Picking, Greasy Coconut Match, Greasy Pole Climbing, etc.
- By the close of the afternoon when all the competitions are over, there are often larger celebrations at night with music concerts and comedy shows along with awards ceremony for Independence Day Games Competition winners. The funds needed to arrange these festivals have been financed by people from villages or town.
Other than the Myanmar Independence Day, there’s no day where in fact the best and true spirit of races and ethnicities of people unit to celebrate peace, lifetime, unity and love as a united nation!