Every year on March 1st, Koreans commemorate The March 1st Movement Day, or 삼일절 (Samiljeol). This is an important public holiday.
It's arguably one of the events with the most cultural significance you should be aware of, especially if you're studying Korean language and Korean culture.
The holiday's official name turned to the March 1st Movement Day or Sam-il Movement Day as a result of what occurred on that day in 1919. (literally meaning Three – One or March 1st).
It is possible to divide the name 삼일절 (Samiljeol) into three parts:
삼 = 3
일 = day / 1
절 = festival day (word suffix)
The March 1st Movement is commemorated on that day, as suggested by its name. Since it is a public holiday, most businesses and educational institutions are closed in celebration of the occasion.
Reading the 1919 Korean Declaration of Independence is a tradition for this anniversary. The reading is held in Pagoda Park in Seoul.
The Korean flag, or 태극기 (taegeukgi), is displayed in residences, places of commerce, and establishments. To honor the day, there are several parades, performances, and exhibitions.
History
On March 1, 1919, at 2 p.m., 33 activists who made up the Samil Movement's core gathered at Taehwagwan Restaurant in Seoul and read aloud the Korean Declaration of Independence that historian Choe Nam-seon had written. In order to avoid the gathering turning into a riot, the activists chose a more secluded spot instead of meeting in downtown Seoul's Tapgol Park. The document was signed by the movement's founders, who also delivered a copy to the governor general.
2,000,000 Koreans, on average, had taken part in the more than 1,500 protests. The Japanese soldiers and police slaughtered several thousand Koreans. 7,509 people were killed, 15,849 were injured, and 46,303 were detained, according to Park Eun-The sik's Horrible History of the Korean Independence Struggle or 한국독립운동지혈사, which is commonly quoted. Japanese authorities reported 553 fatalities and more than 12,000 arrests between March 1 and April 11. According to them, 158 people were injured, including 8 police and military personnel. Some of the detained protesters were publicly executed as a form of punishment.
The Korean Independence Movement was inspired by the March 1st Movement, and this was essential to the movement's expansion into other local administrations, especially Hoengseong.
South Korea declared March 1st a national holiday on May 24, 1949. The first of the three Taekwondo patterns (삼일 틀 - Sam-il teul) learned by third-degree black belts was given to the Sam-il Movement by General Choe Hong-hui.
Where you can go on this day
Tapgol Park
Every year to remember this day as it was on March 1, 1919, the reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence from 1919 takes place in Tapgol Park (formerly known as Pagoda Park).
Copyright: © Alex Barlow
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
In order to honor the heroic actions of those who battled for their nation's freedom and democracy, many Koreans visit Seodamun Prison History Hall. You can see the suffering and struggle of the Korean people here as a result of colonialism.
Creator: NGCHIYUI | Credit: Getty Images
The Independence Hall of Korea
The Independence Hall of Korea, which is widely regarded as one of the top museums in South Korea, is another excellent location you might wish to visit on March 1.
The Independence Hall of Korea is a fantastic museum where you can learn everything there is to know about the history of the Korean independence movement, including indoor and outdoor exhibitions, several monuments, and displays of photographs.
Creator: photojeong | Copyright: photojeong
We hope through this article you could learn a little bit of history and how important is this celebration to Koreans.
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