Independence Day :  15th August 1947 is a remarkable day in the history of Indian Independence. On this day the Republic of India gained independence from the British rule. The beginning of a new era was announced at the midnight of 15th August when the British rulers handed  the country back to the Indian leaders.

On this day , sovereign India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfolded the tricolour flag of the nation on the glorious Red Fort. 15th August is observed as a national holiday throughout the country and the venue of main celebration is the Red Fort in the capital city of  New Delhi. Government buildings and historical monuments are decked with lighting, while schools, government and private organizations hoist the national flag. Celebrations include drills, cultural events, singing of patriotic songs and re-enactment of scenes from the freedom struggle. In northern and central cities of India, kite flying is celebrated as an event associated with the Independence Day.  Several cities in the United States have declared 15 August as ‘India Day’.

Unknown Facts related to Independence Day: 

• The first version of the present National Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya at Bezwada in 1921.

• At the time of Independence, the country had no National Anthem. Jana Gana Mana, which is regarded as the National Anthem was written in 1911 in its Bengali version.

• Countries such as North Korea, South Korea, Republic of Congo and Bahrain share its Independence day with India.

• On 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian Flag 17 times at the Red Fort.

•  On behalf of all the women of India, Hansa Mehta represented Free India’s Parliament along with 15 other women.

• When India became independent in 1947, the Indian Rupee was at par with the US Dollar.