Archive · 15 Aug 2026
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.
India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on August 15 with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The day commemorates India's freedom from more than 200 years of British rule and the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
The Statesman's August 15, 1947 edition carried the headline 'Two Dominions Are Born' and the note 'Political Freedom For One-Fifth of Human Race.'
The 1947 front page reported joyful celebrations by Hindus and Muslims together in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and the start of the First Cabinet of India.
The edition published Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's message to the nation and acknowledged the violence and displacement caused by Partition.
- Who
- India's people celebrating Independence Day, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's message featured by The Statesman.
- What
- The 80th Independence Day of India, marked by revisiting The Statesman's August 15, 1947 edition with the headline 'Two Dominions Are Born.'
- When
- August 15 — India's 80th Independence Day; the original edition was published on August 15, 1947.
- Where
- India, with the 1947 edition reporting celebrations in Calcutta (now Kolkata).
- Why
- To commemorate India's freedom from more than 200 years of British rule and honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
- Event
- India's 80th Independence Day
- Date
- August 15
- Newspaper
- The Statesman
- 1947 headline
- Two Dominions Are Born
- 1947 sub-headline
- Political Freedom For One-Fifth of Human Race
- People granted political freedom
- 400 million (one-fifth of humanity)
- 1947 front-page headlines
- Joyful scenes in Calcutta; Celebrations by Hindus and Muslims; First Cabinet of India Begins to Function
- Advertisements in the 1947 edition
- Britannia biscuits and Bharat Airways