National Liberation Day

National Liberation Day of Korea

What did you do yesterday? Are you aware of which national holiday it was in Korea? It was the National Liberation day.  On this day, in 1945, Korea won its liberation from Japan, and created the official government on August 15, 1948.  

Beginning in 1949, October 1, it was designated as a national holiday. As you probably sawa yesterday, the Korean flag is flown above buildings and street sides to celebrate this day. There are also a variety of events to celebrate the liberation of Korea.

In Korea, this is the most meaningful holiday. It is the day, after years of hardship under Japanese occupation, that the country was free and the people were free.

To provide some historical background, Korea lost its diplomatic right with the Ganghwa Island Treaty. As a result, on August 29, 1910, Japan annexed Korea and occupied the country. During this time, the Japanese government took control of everything.

Koreans were forced to work under the Japanese rule, go to Japanese schools, and speak Japanese. While this was going on, the Korean people continued to fight for their liberation. They secretly organized independence movements and continued to fight against the Japanese rule and occupation.

It was a side time for Korea and the Korean people, but now the Korean people have much to celebrate about. After gaining liberation, although the Korean War broke out, South Korea became a sovereign democratic country. Within years, the country rose out of ashes and created a strong and powerful economy. Now Korea is a very influential and economically powerful country.

So yesterday, was a very meaningful holiday, the day that Korea won its independence, the day that Korean people celebrate being free. We hope you remember this on the next National Liberation day!