Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Beyond India: Five Countries Mark August 15 as National Day
August 15 is a very special day for India because it is the country's Independence Day.
But India is not the only country that celebrates something important on August 15.
South Korea calls the day Gwangbokjeol, which means 'the day the light returned'.
It remembers when Japanese rule ended in 1945 after nearly forty years.
The Republic of the Congo, in Africa, became free from French rule on August 15, 1960.
Liechtenstein, a tiny country in the mountains of Europe, celebrates its National Day on August 15.
Bahrain, a country in the Gulf, became independent from British protection on August 15, 1971.
North Korea also remembers the turning point of 1945, which it shares with South Korea because Korea used to be one territory.
Each country celebrates in its own way, with parades, music, food or fireworks.
In addition to India's Independence Day, August 15 is nationally significant for South Korea, the Republic of the Congo, Bahrain, Liechtenstein and North Korea.
South Korea marks Gwangbokjeol, 'the day the light returned', commemorating the 1945 end of nearly four decades of Japanese colonial rule.
The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) celebrates its 1960 independence from French colonial rule with street processions, shared meals and music.
Liechtenstein observes August 15 as its National Day, a tradition dating to 1940 that combines a Catholic religious observance with a former ruling prince's birth date.
Bahrain's independence from British protection became official on August 15, 1971, though its main national holiday is in December, while North Korea marks the shared 1945 date with parades and tributes.
- Who
- India, South Korea, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Bahrain, Liechtenstein and North Korea
- What
- All observe August 15 as a date of national significance, including independence days, the end of colonial or foreign rule, and official national holidays.
- When
- August 15 — in 1945 for Korea, 1960 for the Republic of the Congo, 1971 for Bahrain, and since 1940 for Liechtenstein's National Day
- Where
- India, South Korea, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Bahrain, Liechtenstein and North Korea (Pyongyang)
- Why
- To commemorate independence from colonial or foreign rule, the restoration of sovereignty after occupation, or national and religious identity
- India's Independence Day
- August 15
- South Korea's holiday
- Gwangbokjeol ('the day the light returned')
- Korea (South and North)
- End of nearly four decades of Japanese colonial rule in 1945
- Republic of the Congo
- Independence from France on August 15, 1960
- Liechtenstein National Day
- Tradition dating to 1940
- Bahrain
- Independence from British protection on August 15, 1971
- North Korea
- Commemorates the shared 1945 date with state-organised displays, parades and tributes