Union Day in Myanmar
Union Day is a public holiday in Myanmar that’s observed annually on February 12th. This holiday commemorates the day when the Panglong Agreement was signed in 1947. This agreement allowed Burma to become a unified country. Preparations for this holiday are begun months in advance and the Burmese people wait for this holiday with a lot of anticipation.
Myanmar (Public holiday)This is a holiday that many tourists like to attend due to the wide variety of patriotic and cultural Burmese events available to them around this day. Activities that can include everything from parades to festivals.
The History Of Union Day In Myanmar
Myanmar used to be called Burma and near the end of the 19th century, the country came under British control. The British didn’t rule Burma as a unified country, however, but instead made a point of ruling the outlying ethnic groups differently from central Burma.
After WWII, the head of the Burmese government and representatives from some of the Burmese states got together to determine where Burma should go. On February 12, 1948, they reached an agreement and unified Burma as one country. In January of 1948, Burma was remade as an independent country. In 1989, Burma was renamed Myanmar.
Some Interesting Facts About Myanmar
Let’s take a look at some interesting Myanmar facts. Facts that should give everyone a glimpse into the culture of this country.
- In Myanmar, tea leaves are made into a dish called lahpet thohk—tea leaf salad.
- The Shwedagon Pagoda is covered in more than 4,500 diamonds. The largest is 72-carats.
- The town of Puao is at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Observing Union Day In Myanmar
Usually, a couple of months before Union Day even arrives, the Union Flag is carried through the capital cities of each of the various Myanmar states. Accompanying the flag is often a parade, as well as concerts and cultural events.
The week before Union Day, the Union Flag will be then moved through different towns until it arrives in the People’s Square in Yangon. It’s there that celebratory services will be performed. Other events that happen on this holiday include concerts and a variety of different festivals.
Myanmar (Public holiday)
