New Delhi. Independence Day 2024: India officially got independence on 15 August 1947. This year the country is celebrating its 78th Independence Day, which is a day of pride for every citizen. However, the question is why this day was chosen for India's independence and why 15 August is celebrated as Independence Day every year. Let us know interesting information related to this.

Why do we celebrate Independence Day on 15 August?

The history of India's independence has been very interesting. Actually, according to the British rule, India was to be given independence on 30 June 1948, but at the same time, the partition of India and Pakistan became a big issue between Nehru and Jinnah, due to which the tension created and the increasing threat of communal riots, it was decided to give independence to India on 15 August 1947. For this, Lord Mountbatten presented the Indian Independence Bill in the British House of Commons on 4 July 1947. After this, it was also approved by the British Parliament and it was announced to celebrate 15 August as India's Independence Day.

Why was only 15th August chosen?  

15th August was a very special day for the last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten. Actually, the Second World War ended on 15th August 1945 and the Japanese army surrendered to the British Army. At that time, Lord Mountbatten was the commander of the Allied Forces in the British Army. So he considered this day special. The entire credit for the surrender of the Japanese army was given to Mountbatten, so Mountbatten considered 15th August to be the best day of his life and that is why he chose 15th August for India's independence.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi not participate?

At the time of independence, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had sent a letter to Mahatma Gandhi inviting him to give his blessings on Independence Day, but Mahatma Gandhi did not attend the event. In response to the letter, he had said to Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, "I cannot be happy on 15 August. I do not want to deceive you, but at the same time I will not say that you should not celebrate. He had said that unfortunately the way we have got independence today also contains the seeds of future conflict between India and Pakistan. For me, peace between Hindus and Muslims is more important than the declaration of independence."