India Marks 80th Independence Day, Reliving The Statesman's 1947 Edition

India has a special holiday on August 15 called Independence Day, when people wave flags, watch parades, and enjoy cultural events.

It is the day India became free from British rule, which had lasted more than 200 years.

This year, India celebrates its 80th Independence Day.

To remember how it all started, people looked at a very old newspaper called The Statesman, printed on August 15, 1947.

Its big headline said 'Two Dominions Are Born,' and it told how 400 million people — one-fifth of all humans — were now politically free.

In Calcutta (now Kolkata), Hindus and Muslims celebrated together, full of joy.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a hopeful message about a new star of freedom rising in the East.

But the newspaper also told about the sadness of Partition, when many people were hurt or had to leave their homes.

So Independence Day is a day of both joy and memory.