Independence Movement Day marks the March 1st Movement against Japanese rule. Though suppressed, it galvanized Korea's struggle for freedom and is now remembered every year as a national holiday in South Korea, honoring the spirit of independence and resilience.

When is Independence Movement Day?

Independence Movement Day in South Korea is celebrated every year on March 1

The following is the list of Independence Movement Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Movement Day?

In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan and placed under strict colonial control. Koreans endured suppression of their language, culture, and press, as well as forced labor and economic exploitation.

After World War I, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's principle of self-determination inspired Korean activists to demand independence.

On March 1, 1919, thirty-three Korean cultural and religious leaders secretly signed and read the Korean Declaration of Independence in Seoul.

Demonstrations quickly spread across the nation, and more than 2 million people participated in rallies shouting "Manse" ("Long live Korean independence"). Protests occurred in hundreds of cities and villages.

The Japanese military responded with brutal force with estimates say 7,000–10,000 Koreans were killed, and tens of thousands were wounded or imprisoned. Despite its failure to free Korea immediately, the movement marked a turning point in Korea's independence struggle.

The movement led to the creation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai (April 1919). It inspired future independence activism, including armed resistance and cultural preservation movements.

The March 1st Movement became a symbol of national unity and resistance against colonialism. After Korea's liberation in 1945, the newly formed Republic of Korea designated March 1st as a national holiday, known as Samiljeol (삼일절, "Three-One Day").