March First Independence Movement Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Republic of Korea law and Ministry sources verify March 1 Samiljeol, the 1919 movement, the 1949 National Holidays Act framework and current national/public-holiday status.
About March First Independence Movement Day
March First Independence Movement Day, commonly called Samiljeol (3·1절), is a Republic of Korea national holiday observed on March 1.
The date commemorates the March 1, 1919 independence movement; the current legal national-holiday framework was established later through the National Holidays Act.
Why March First Independence Movement Day matters
The holiday commemorates the 1919 independence movement and the people who participated in it during Japanese colonial rule.
The historical movement, the later 1949 legal codification and current public-holiday rules are distinct evidence layers and should be described without turning remembrance into present-day political advocacy.
History of March First Independence Movement Day
On March 1, 1919, independence declarations and demonstrations became a major Korean movement against Japanese colonial rule.
The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety states that the government enacted and promulgated Act No. 53, the National Holidays Act, on October 1, 1949; March 1 Day was among the national holidays in that framework.
The current National Holidays Act lists 3·1절 on March 1, and current public-holiday law treats national holidays under that Act as public holidays.
Government guidance describes the day as commemorating the achievements and independence spirit of the March First Movement.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Republic of Korea under the National Holidays Act
National Holidays Act (Act No. 53)
Republic of Korea public authorities
Current Ministry and legal sources administer and describe the national/public-holiday framework.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Independence Movement Day
How to Observe March First Independence Movement Day
Attend a museum, memorial or educational program focused on the March First Movement and modern Korean history.
Read translated primary documents and reputable Korean historical sources to understand the 1919 movement in context.
Observe flag or public-ceremony practices according to current official guidance if you choose to participate.
Distinguish historical facts about Japanese colonial rule from claims about present-day people or governments.
Check current official calendars for substitute-holiday administration in a particular year rather than changing the recurring March 1 date.
March First Independence Movement Day Facts
Samiljeol / March First Independence Movement Day is observed on March 1.
The day commemorates the March First Movement of 1919.
The National Holidays Act lists 3·1절 as a national holiday on March 1.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety traces the national-holiday legal framework to Act No. 53, enacted and promulgated on October 1, 1949.
Current public-holiday law includes national holidays designated under the National Holidays Act.
March First Independence Movement Day Messages
Wishing those observing March First Independence Movement Day a thoughtful day of remembrance and learning.
May March 1 be marked with respect for the people, history and civic memory connected with the 1919 movement.
May the day encourage thoughtful study of the March First Movement and modern Korean history.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Ministry of the Interior and Safety — National holidays and commemorative days (opens in a new tab)
Official Government
Ministry of the Interior and Safety — National symbols / 3·1절 (opens in a new tab)
Official Government
National Law Information Center — National Holidays Act, Article 2 (opens in a new tab)
Official Law
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is March First Independence Movement Day?
1 March annually The documented recurrence rule is: 1 March.
Does March First Independence Movement Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is March First Independence Movement Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Republic of Korea / national commemoration. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes March First Independence Movement Day?
The reviewed sources identify Republic of Korea under the National Holidays Act as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Republic of Korea public authorities.
Is March First Independence Movement Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to South Korea. Its fuller verified scope is: Republic of Korea / national commemoration.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is March First Independence Movement Day?
It is observed on 1 March each year.
What does the day commemorate?
It commemorates the March First Movement of 1919 and the independence movement against Japanese colonial rule.
Is it a national holiday in the Republic of Korea?
Yes. The National Holidays Act lists 3·1절 on March 1, and current public-holiday law includes national holidays under that Act.
When was the current national-holiday legal framework established?
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety states that the government enacted and promulgated the National Holidays Act, Act No. 53, on 1 October 1949.
Does a substitute day change the annual date?
No. The recurring national-holiday date remains March 1; any substitute-holiday administration for a particular year should be checked separately.
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