Martyrs' Day in Myanmar Date in the current year: July 19, 2024

Following the end in the Second World War, negotiations for Burmese independence began. In April 1947, general elections were held to form the constituent assembly. On July 19, 1947, several interim government leaders held a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat Building in Yangon.

In the midst of the meeting, a group of armed paramilitaries burst into the Secretariat and shot down eight ministers, including Prime Minister Aung Sun, and a bodyguard. The only person to survive was Minister of Finance Tin Tun.

The assassinations were planned and carried out by a rival political group led by U Saw, former Prime Minister of Burma. U Saw and his accomplices were arrested and executed. After Myanmar was declared an independent state in 1948, July 19 was proclaimed a public holiday.

Burmese Martyrs' Day is marked with solemn remembrance ceremonies held at Martyr's Mausoleum in the city of Yangon (former capital of Myanmar). The ceremonies are attended by high-ranking government officials. The first ever ceremony was officiated by Myoma U Than Kywe.