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Independence and National Days of ASEAN Countries

Independence and National Days of ASEAN Countries
Illustration © RightsInfo

Countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are no strangers to struggles for independence.

With the exception of Thailand, all ASEAN members were former colonies of Western nations. Heroes and nationalists rose up and fought for the freedom of their respective countries. 

These victories are commemorated during annual Independence and National Days.  The list below is arranged by the date of the countries’ observance of Independence or National Day. Only those that are public holidays are set in bold font.

MYANMAR: January 4 – Independence Day • 10 days after the Full Moon Day of the month of Tazaungmone (November-December) – National Day

The 10th day from the Full Moon Day of the month of Tazaungmone marks the day in 1920 when Burmese students of Rangoon University began anti-British colonial riots. Independence, however, was achieved much later on January 4, 1948.

Because Myanmar follows the lunisolar (lunar-months, solar-years) traditional Burmese calendar, the National Day moves between the months of November to December.

In 2014, Myanmar’s National Day will fall on November 16.

Brunei Independence Day | Pinterest.com
Brunei Independence Day | Pinterest.com

 

BRUNEI: February 23 – National Day

The former British protectorate observed its first National Day on February 23, 1984, which is 54 days after the United Kingdom granted it independence midnight of January 1.

PHILIPPINES: June 12 – Independence Day

The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. But shortly thereafter, the Americans occupied the country. The Japanese also invaded it during World War II. After the war, the United States granted the country full independence on July 4, 1946.

Currently, the Philippines observes Independence Day every June 12. Meanwhile, July 4 is observed as Republic Day and Philippine-American Friendship Day, but are not regular holidays.

SINGAPORE: August 9 – National Day

Singapore's National Day marks the day in 1965 when it broke away from the Federation of Malaysia due to ethnic, political, and economic disagreements. It then became an independent city-state.

Before joining the Federation of Malaysia, the country gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1963.

INDONESIA: August 17 – Independence Day

On August 17, 1945, shortly after the end of World War II and the surrender of Japanese forces, Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence from Japan, as well as from the Netherlands, which has colonized the country – then called the Dutch East Indies – since 1800.

However, the Dutch officially transferred sovereignty only on December 27, 1949, following a 4-year war for independence and the Dutch-Indonesian roundtable conference mediated by the United Nations.

MALAYSIA: August 31 – Merdeka (Independence) Day • September 16 – Malaysia Day

Malaysia's "Merdeka Day" commemorates its declaration of Independence from Britain in 1957. Meanwhile, the recently established Malaysia Day celebrates the day the states of Malaysia became the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.

VIETNAM: September 2 – National Day

Vietnam’s National Day celebrates the country’s declaration of independence from France on September 2, 1945. However, Vietnam was split between North Vietnam and South Vietnam in 1954, and it took 2 more decades before the country achieved reunification in 1975.

Cambodia National day | Phnompenhpost.com
Cambodia National day | Phnompenhpost.com

 

CAMBODIA: November 9 – Independence Day

Cambodia gained independence on November 9, 1953, when France, weakened by World War II and losing in a war against Vietnam, bowed to the demands for independence by Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihanouk. Full sovereignty was achieved in 1954.

LAOS: December 2 – National Day

Laos achieved complete independence from France on October 22, 1953, and became a constitutional monarchy. But two decades later, on December 2, 1975, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by the current Lao People's Democratic Republic.

December 2 every year is observed in Laos as its National Day.

THAILAND: December 5 – King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday

As the only ASEAN nation to have never been colonized by Westerners, the Thais observe their king’s birthday as the national holiday.

The holiday was established in the 1960s under Prime Minister Sarit Thanarat, who revived many rituals and ceremonies involving the monarchy under his leadership. Besides being the national day, it also serves as the Thai Father’s Day, as the king is considered the father of the country. – Rappler.com

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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