15 August: 5 countries that celebrate Independence Day alongside India

Time of India

2 days ago

Korea (North and South): Liberation From Japan
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In both North and South Korea, August 15 is celebrated as Gwangbokjeol or Liberation Day.
— nodutdol (@nodutdol)
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Bahrain formally declared independence from Britain on August 15, 1971.
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Liechtenstein: A Royal Celebration
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For Liechtenstein, August 15 is country's official National Day
As India gears up to mark its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, the tricolour will once again soar high over Red Fort and across the country. The date holds deep emotional significance for Indians, commemorating the end of nearly two centuries of British colonial rule in 1947 and the birth of a sovereign nation.But India is not alone in cherishing August 15. Beyond our borders, a handful of nations also recognize this date as a turning point in their histories — each story shaped by unique struggles, political shifts, and moments of liberation.Here are five countries that, in their own ways, share this special date with India.In both North and South Korea, August 15 is celebrated as Gwangbokjeol or Liberation Day — the day in 1945 when Japanese occupation came to an end after 35 years. While liberation brought hope, it also marked the beginning of division. A temporary arrangement between the Soviet Union and the United States to manage the Korean Peninsula led to its split along the 38th parallel. Three years later, this political divide solidified into two separate states, eventually sparking the Korean War in 1950. Yet, despite decades of separation, both nations still commemorate August 15 as the moment they reclaimed their land.Bahrain formally declared independence from Britain on August 15, 1971, following a United Nations survey confirming the will of its people. However, unlike India, the day is not widely celebrated. Instead, Bahrain's National Day falls on December 16, marking the late Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa's ascension to the throne. While August 15 is not a public holiday, it remains an important milestone in Bahrain's history.The Republic of the Congo, once part of French Equatorial Africa, became independent from France on August 15, 1960. The capital, Brazzaville, comes alive each year with parades, music, and community gatherings to celebrate Congolese National Day. It is worth noting that this is not the same as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which marks its independence from Belgium on June 30.The Democratic Republic of the Congo's independence from Belgium took effect on June 30, 1960, but the official ceremony for the Republic of Congo (its western neighbour) on August 15, 1960, often creates confusion between the two. While the DRC observes its own date, this shared mid-August history reflects a wider wave of decolonisation that swept Africa in the 1960s.For Liechtenstein, August 15 is not an independence day in the traditional sense but the country's official National Day. The date was chosen in 1940 to combine two significant events — the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, a major Catholic holiday, and the birthday of Prince Franz Josef II, who was born on August 16. Citizens gather in Vaduz, the capital, to attend festivities near the royal castle, and the day ends with fireworks lighting up the alpine sky.For India, August 15 is a day of pride, remembrance, and unity. For others, it represents liberation, nationhood, or a symbolic national moment. Whether marked with grand parades, religious observances, or quiet historical reflection, the date remains a shared chapter in the world's calendar of freedom.