Myanmar Martyrs Day Date: July 19
Martyrs Day is a public holiday in Myanmar.
Martyrs Day has been observed as a public holiday in Myanmar since 1948. Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar, is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia.
Myanmar Martyrs Day History
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) observes Martyrs’ Day on July 19th every year. On this day, in 1947, General Aung San, Thakin Mya, Dedoke U Ba Cho, Abdul Razak, U Ba Win, Mahn Ba Khaing, and Saopha of Mong Pawng were assassinated. They were Myanmar’s Independence leaders and were cabinet members holding a cabinet meeting at a place known as The Secretariat in downtown Yangon. Also killed in the shootout by uniformed assassins were the cabinet secretary U Ohn Maung and a bodyguard called Maung Htwe.
The assassinations were allegedly planned by a rival political group and supported by the British. The mastermind of the incident U Saw, as well as those who had actually carried out the assassinations were tried and convicted in the aftermath of the incident by a special tribunal headed by U Kyaw Myint and consisting of two other Barristers-at-law. They were sentenced to death and appeals to the High Court proved futile.
The Supreme Court of the country refused leave to appeal against the original judgment and the President of Myanmar refused to commute or pardon most of the death sentences. U Saw was hanged on May 8th 1948. Others who had played relatively minor roles in the assassination were awarded various terms of imprisonment. Also, two British officers believed to have played a role in the conspiracy were arrested at that time and one of them charged and convicted.
Myanmar Martyrs Day Traditions and Activities
July 19th was designated a public holiday in 1948 after Myanmar became independent on January 4th and Thankin Nu assumed office as the first Prime Minister of Burma after independence. It is a national holiday and is spent commemorating the slain leaders. According to custom, high-ranking government officials pay their respects at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon on the morning of July 19th.
Other interesting posts:
- Myanmar’s Observance of Armed Forces Day
- Myanmar Remembers Its Independence on National Day
- Union Day Celebration of Myanmar
- Myanmar’s Thingyan (Water Festival)
- Kayin New Year Festively Observed in Myanmar
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