State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi pays her respects at the Martyrs' Mausoleum in Rangoon on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Hein Ko / DVB)
Burma marked its 69th Martyrs’ Day today, commemorating the day in 1947 that independence leader General Aung San and seven other members of his interim pre-independence government, as well as a body guard, were assassinated, changing the course of modern Burmese history forever. It is a solemn occasion, but one remembered with great pride in those who sacrificed their lives in the service of the country.
As in years past, ceremonies were held throughout the country, attracting large crowds even in the pouring rain. This year also marked the first time that Aung San’s daughter, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, attended the main ceremony at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Rangoon as the de facto leader of the Burmese government.
Also in attendance at events in Rangoon and elsewhere in the country were President Htin Kyaw and Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of Burma’s armed forces.
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi pays her respects at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Rangoon on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Hein Ko / DVB)Crowds gather in the rain near the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Rangoon on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Hein Ko / DVB)Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, far right, pays his respects at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum alongside (from left to right) Labour and Immigration Minister Thein Swe, Lower House Speaker Win Myint, Vice-President Myint Shwe, and Upper House Speaker Mahn Win Khaing on 19 June 2016. (Photo: DVB)Members of Burma’s armed forces march during a ceremony to mark Martyrs’ Day at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Rangoon on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Khin Maung Win / DVB)Students march in the rain in Rangoon to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 June 2016. (Photo: Kaung Su Kyaw / DVB)Students stand in the rain in Rangoon at an event to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 June 2016. (Photo: Kaung Su Kyaw / DVB)Crowds gather in the rain outside the NLD’s head office in Rangoon to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Ko Maung / DVB)President Htin Kyaw and his wife Su Su Lwin pay their respects to Burma’s fallen martyrs at a Buddhist ceremony in Naypyidaw on 19 July 2016. (Photo: DVB)Residents of Mandalay march in a procession to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Aung Aung Naing / DVB)Residents of Prome (Pyay) in central Burma attend a ceremony to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Ko Minnyo / DVB)Residents of Sagaing attend a ceremony to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: Myo Naing / DVB)Portraits of Burma’s fallen martyrs at a ceremony in Natmauk, hometown of General Aung San, to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: DVB)Portraits of Burma’s fallen martyrs at a ceremony in Myawaddy to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: DVB)Residents of Pyinmana gather for a ceremony to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: DVB)Crowds gather in Hinthada, Irrawaddy Division, to mark Martyrs’ Day on 19 July 2016. (Photo: DVB)A boy looks at Burmese banknotes bearing portraits of Aung San at a museum honouring Burma’s independence hero in his hometown of Natmauk, Magway Division, on 19 July 2016. (Photo: DVB)
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