Independence Day is probably the most important day for a country to commemorate as a national holiday.

Nations in the the world regard Independence Day as a significant day in their history because their independence were declared. Independence day has a significant meaning for Koreans because their ancestors staged an independence movement against Japanese colonial rule in 1919. The Korean Independence Day falls on March 1 every year.

March 1st of the year 2006 marked the 87th anniversary of the Independence Movement against the Japanese colonial rule. A variety of events to celebrate the independence movement are scheduled to take place on March 1.

Along the streets of Insa-dong in Jongno, downtown Seoul, some 200,000 Korean people took part in a event, aimed reenacting the March 1 independence movement in 1919. At the event, they enjoyed Korean traditional games and musical performances to commemorate the movement.

At the Tapgol Park in downtown Seoul, 33 Korean people read ¡°The Statement of Independence,¡± as was made by 33 Korean patriotic leaders during the historic rally 87 years ago. An event to make the Taegeukgi, Korean national flag, took place at the History Memorial Hall of the Seodaemun Prison, where countless Korean independence fighters were detained during Japanese colonial rule.

A significant event to commemorate the independence movement was held at the Cheonan's Memorial Hall Square in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province on March 1. Cheonan is the hometown of the Korean female fighter Ryu Kwan-sun, who led the March 1 Independence Movement in 1919.

At the upcoming event, some 1,000 Korean people gathered and marched toward the ¡®Aunae¡¯ market street, the place where the Korean female fighter Ryu was arrested by the Japanese police while leading the independence movement.

The Independence Memorial Hall at Cheonan plans to hold its fifth festival, aimed at spreading the love of Taegeukgi by Koreans across the nation. Over 500 Korean national flags were raised simultaneously in areas around the hall.

By Jun Hwi-gon