Independence Day 2025: Is it India’s 78th or 79th Independence Day? All you need to know
Independence Day is just around the corner! Streets and homes once again come alive with the familiar charm of tricolour flags- a sight that takes us back to childhood celebrations and the timeless celebration of freedom. Every year on August 15th, India celebrates the historic moment in 1947 when the nation became free from British rule after nearly 200 years. It’s a day marked by the hosting of the tricolour, patriotic melodies, and a deep sense of unity-reminding us of the sacrifices that paved the way for our freedom.
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Why this confusion?
Many people get confused about whether India is celebrating its 78th or 79th Independence Day because they start the counting by subtracting 1947 (the year of independence) from the current year, 2025, and get 78. (2025-1947=78) This calculates the number of completed years of independence, not the number of celebrations.Mistakes happen because people mistakenly start the count from zero, or they count only the anniversaries, not the actual day when independence was first achieved. The official count-endorsed by the government and historical records-always starts with the actual day India became independent (August 15, 1947) as the first celebration.So, the correct way is to count the very first Independence Day in 1947 as the 1st celebration, so:-1947: 1st Independence Day -1948: 2nd–––-2024: 78th -2025:79th Independence DayThe easiest way to do the calculation is: 2025 – 1947 + 1 = 79. Hence, Independence Day 2025 marks the 79th celebration of India’s freedom.
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Theme and celebration:This year’s campaign continues the mission to boost patriotic pride and national unity, especially the focus among the youth, through creative and engaging activities that celebrate India’s shared heritage and values. A series of nationwide contests have been designed to honour the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and celebrate the vibrant journey of our nation.
Event line-up in National Capital
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival at the Red Fort on August 15 follows a precise sequence rooted in tradition . At first he is received by the Defence Minister, Minister of State for Defence, and the Defence Secretary. Up next the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, escorts the PM to the Saluting Base.
- A combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard presents the general salute, after which the PM inspects the Guard of Honour.This ceremonial inspection serves as an essential symbol of respect and military protocol
- Finally, the iconic moment. Like every year, the PM will hoist the country’s tricolor followed by 21-gun salute, and national anthem and his address to the nation.
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Everyone has their own way of celebrating this day. Starting from kids’ drawing competitions to making many upcoming decisions for the country, there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how the day should be celebrated- except one thing that remains constant: to create value for and respect towards the people who gave up their lives to make sure we get to see this day.
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