| Samil, Sino-Korean for Three-One, is the official day set aside for honoring those that started Koreas Independence movement against Japan. When I saw that this day was approaching on the calendar, the name didnt register, so I started asking my students and co-workers. Most could not correctly identify the history or purpose of the day, only that it was a red day and they didnt have to work. I think the date is quite interesting, since most countries celebrate only Independence Day, but here in Korea, we also celebrate those that organized that Independence. Heres more information from the Wiki: The March First Movement, or Samil Movement (삼일 운동), was one of the earliest displays of Korean independence movements during the Japanese rule of Korea. The name refers to an event that occurred on 1 March 1919, hence the movements name, literally meaning Three-One Movement in Korean. It is also sometimes referred to as the Manse Demonstrations (만 세운동). During the series of demonstrations that began that day and spread throughout Korea, 7000 people were killed by Japanese police and soldiers. The inspiration for the Samil Movement came from the repressive nature of Japanese policies under its military administration of Korea following 1905, and the Fourteen Points outlining the right of national self-determination proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference in January 1919. After hearing news of Wilsons speech, Korean students studying in Tokyo ... |
