5 countries that celebrate Independence day with India

India is all set to celebrate its 78th Independence Day on 15th August. The occasion is a festival the whole country actively participates in. The spirit of nationalism can be seen in every Indian citizen and at every nook and corner of this country. As a nation, this day marks our freedom from the rule of British rule, that sent our country into a state of destitution. Once called the ‘Sone ki Chidiya’, the Britishers exploited our resources and the kindness and humbleness deep rooted in our culture. The freedom we got after years of struggle came at great cost, because freedom cannot be compromised with. It is the birthright of every human being to choose how one wants to live their life. Imprisoned by the whims and fancies of colonizers is no way to live.
While we celebrate this occasion with much zeal and spirit, there are some other countries who celebrate their independence as well. Take a look at these 5 countries, who share the same day of their independence with us.

The independence treaty between Bahrain and Britain was signed on 15th August 1971. They declared their independence after a United Nations survey of the Bahraini population. However they don’t celebrate or mark this day. They celebrate National Day on December 16 that coincides with the date on which their ruler late Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa ascended the throne.

In 1940, the government of the Principality of Liechtenstein declared August 15 to be the country's national holiday. The day was so decided as it was already a bank holiday, and the ruling Prince at the time, Prince Franz Josef II, was born on August 16. In 1990 an official law was passed that established August 15 as the official national holiday of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

On 15th August each year, Korea(Both North and South) celebrates its freedom from the Japanese occupation of 35 years in 1945. When WW2 ended both sides- Soviet Union and United States agreed on splitting the control of Korea between them. On August 10, a line was demarcated on the 38th parallel, which was supposed to be a temporary divide. After three years of asserting dominance the respective sides made their favored representatives the leader of the two countries. This culminated in the Korean War of 1950.

Coincidentally, the then leader Syngman Rhee, favored by the US, declared the formation of the Republic of Korea in Seoul. But it was not until September 8 of the same year that North Korea declared its own claim to the whole of Korea from Pyongyang.

The people of Congo celebrate August 15 each year as their National Day. In 1959, due to the growing movement against their colonial rule, the Belgium government held elections to establish their puppets, and calm the raging roar of independence. The country decided to boycott it and made Belgium realize that they can no longer curb this movement. After discussions, Congo gained independence on June 30, 1960. However the official ceremony for the independence of the Republic of Congo was held in Brazzaville on August 15, 1960.