Independence Day

Stone Pillar of Independence 

Independence day in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is on the 4th January.

After three Anglo-Burmese wars over a period of 60 years, the last King of Burma was then exiled to India in 1885. At that point complete colonization took place until Burma gained independence at 4.20am on the 4th January, 1948. This being an auspicious moment selected by an astrologer.


At that time the country's name changed to the Union of Burma and renamed the Union of Myanmar in 1989.

Independence Day is officially remembered at 4.20am on the 4th January each year. During the day local people celebrate with sports events within their community or more competitively between townships. Running races and games of football are popular and there is an interesting game that involves a coconut covered in grease. There are fairs and concerts and people spend time with their families at parks and other local attractions.

We took ourselves to the National Races Village. The village is in a large parkland with small lakes that showcase the typical furnished houses of ethnic groups in the seven states.












Each traditional house is in a compound with a garden. Inside the houses are artifacts depicting the way of life and some people wearing their traditional clothing. There are also handicrafts and produce for sale from the different areas.

Other sights to see are small scale replicas of different monuments and pagodas from around the country, a crocodile farm, orchid garden, deer park, bird sanctuary, mangroves and a pheasant farm.

It was one of our favourite kind of days where we saw no other foreigners. There were so many visitors there and we were somewhat of a novelty having many requests for photos with them.