INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

           

                                          

   
The Independence Day is an annual celebration by the whole world but Malaysian names it as a Merdeka Day. All countries honour their respective independence day, celebrating it as a national holiday. Thus, on the 31 August every year, it is marked as the Malaysian Independence Day. However, there are lot differences of celebrating the Independence Day on 31 August and today in terms of spirit and technology.

On 31st of August every year, we as Malaysians celebrate the National Day. A lot of people enjoy celebrating the National Day. We enjoy singing the National Songs, decorating our classroom, watching the countdown concert, counting down the time to midnight and watching the parade on National Day. But when we do all those things, do we feel anything or we just celebrate National Day without understanding or feeling anything?? Don’t you at least feel proud being a Malaysian?? At least, we should APPRECIATE living here in Malaysia. There are a lot of reasons                                                    why we should.

HISTORY

  
☹Japanese invasion during World War II ended British domination in Malaysia. The subsequent occupation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak from 1942 to 1945 unleashed nationalism. In the Peninsula, the Malayan Communist Party took up arms against the British. A tough military response was needed to end the insurgency and bring about the establishment of an independent, multi-racial Federation of Malaya on 31 August 1957. On 31 August 1963, the British territories in North Borneo and Singapore were granted independence and formed Malaysia with the Peninsular states on 16 September 1963. Approximately two years later, the Malaysian parliament passed a bill without the consent of signatory of Malaysia Agreement 1963 to separate Singapore from the Federation.^[2] A confrontation with Indonesia occurred in the early-1960s. Race riots in 1969 led to the imposition of emergency rule, and a curtailment of political life and civil liberties which has never been fully reversed. Since 1970 the "National Front coalition" headed by United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has governed Malaysia. Economic growth dramatically increased living standards by the 1990s. This growing prosperity helped minimise political discontent.

DATE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

31 AUGUST 1957

Events leading up to independence

The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or independence along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V. T. Sambanthan. Once it became clear that the Communist threat posed during the Malayan Emergency was petering out,agreement was reached on 8 February 1956, for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, logistical and administrative reasons led to the official proclamation of independence in the next year, on 31 August 1957, at Stadium Merdeka(Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur, which was purposely built for the celebrations of national independence day. The announcement of the day was set months earlier by the Tunku in a Melaka meeting of the Alliance.

THEME

Year	Theme
1970	Muhibah dan Perpaduan
1971	Masyarakat Progresif
1972	Masyarakat Adil
1973	Masyarakat Kebudayaan Malaysia
1974	Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan
1975	Masyarakat Berdikari
1976	Ketahanan Rakyat
1977	20 Tahun Bersatu Maju
1978	Kebudayaan Seni Perpaduan
1979	Bersatu Berdisiplin
1980	Berdisiplin Berbakti
1981	Berdisiplin Berharmoni
1982	Berdisiplin Giat Maju
1983	Bersama ke Arah Kemajuan
1984	Amanah Asas Kejayaan
1985	Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan
1986	Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh
1987	Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju
1988-1989	Bersatu
1990	Berjaya
1991	Wawasan 2020
1992	Wawasan Asas Kejayaan
1993	Bersatu Menuju Wawasan
1994	Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan
1995	Jatidiri Penggerak Wawasan
1996	Budaya Penentu Kecapaian
1997	Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Berjaya
1998	Negara Kita Tanggungjawab Kita
1999	Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru
2000-2006	Keranamu Malaysia
2007	Malaysiaku Gemilang
2008	Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan
2009	1Malaysia - Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan
2010	1Malaysia Menjana Tranformasi
2011	1Malaysia. Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera.
2012	1Malaysia. Janji Ditepati[7]
2013	Malaysiaku Berdaulat: Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku
2014	Malaysia... Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta[8]
2015-2016	Sehati Sejiwa[9]

2017	#NegarakuMalaysia

2017 LOGO OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

NATIONAL MONUMENT

                      

        

The National Monument (Tugu Negara) is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is located in Kuala Lumpur, nearby Lake Gardens. The monument depicts a group of soldiers holding the Malaysian national flag. Each of the bronze figures symbolizes leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice

MALAYSIA INDEPENDENCE DAY

TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES

The event is celebrated with lot of concerts and processions. The schools and other education institutions organize their celebrations. Lot of folk dance and traditional clothes are a part of the celebrations. Malaysia is a vibrant country with vibrant people. They make the whole atmosphere come alive with their energy and spirit.