Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Indian-Americans Mark 80th Independence Day With Guinness World Record
India became an independent country 80 years ago, and Indians living in America wanted to celebrate that big birthday.
They held a big party in Times Square in New York City with dances, music and speeches.
A special leader called the Consul General raised the Indian flag there.
People also made a huge design in Parsippany, New Jersey, using more than 1,300 American flags and Indian flags.
The flags were arranged to show the number '250', because America was also celebrating turning 250 years old.
This design was so big and special that it earned a Guinness World Record.
In many American states, August 15 was officially named 'India Day'.
Famous buildings like the Empire State Building were lit up in orange, white and green, the colours of the Indian flag.
Another big parade was planned for the next day in Manhattan.
It was a happy day that showed how Indians and Americans are good friends.
The Indian-American diaspora celebrated India's 80th Independence Day at Times Square with flag hoisting, cultural performances and speeches.
A Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Flagpole Number' was set at Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, New Jersey.
More than 1,300 US flags surrounded by Indian tricolours formed the number '250', a tribute to America's 250th anniversary.
The celebrations were organized by the Consulate General of India in New York with the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), supported by Zoho.
US states including Delaware, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania declared August 15 as 'India Day', and landmarks such as the Empire State Building were lit in Tricolour colours.
- Who
- The Indian-American diaspora, Consul General Binaya Pradhan, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), and US officials including New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, Congresswoman Analilia Mejia and Parsippany Mayor Pulkit Desai.
- What
- Celebrations of India's 80th Independence Day, including a Times Square flag hoisting with cultural performances and a Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Flagpole Number'.
- When
- Around August 15, on India's 80th Independence Day.
- Where
- Times Square in New York and Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, New Jersey.
- Why
- To mark India's 80th Independence Day and America's 250th anniversary, highlighting the ties between India and the US and the diaspora's role as a bridge between the two nations.
- Occasion
- India's 80th Independence Day (India@80) and America's 250th anniversary (America@250)
- Guinness World Record
- Largest Flagpole Number
- Record design
- Over 1,300 US flags surrounded by Indian tricolours forming the number '250'
- Record location
- Veterans Memorial Park, Parsippany, New Jersey
- Organizers
- Consulate General of India in New York and Federation of Indian Associations (FIA); supported by Zoho
- India Day proclamations
- Delaware, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Illuminated landmarks
- Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, Niagara Falls, Bloomberg's New York headquarters and Prudential Centre in Boston
- Discrepancy noted
- One article described the flag hoisting as marking '79 years of Independence', while the event was officially framed as India's 80th Independence Day
