A scene both grand and moving

And not only Cuu Quoc, Nuoc Nam, Dong Phat, Trung Bac Tan Van... have surpassed the stature of press publications, becoming extremely valuable documents when recording the historical and sacred moment of the nation: The day Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Dong Phat: Correct issue on September 2 and “two special pages” on Independence Day

Dong Phat is perhaps the newspaper that has the honor and pride that perhaps no other Vietnamese newspaper has: having its publication date exactly on Sunday, September 2, 1945 - the Independence Day of the Vietnamese people. Also because it was published at that historic moment, the entire two pages of issue 6107 published on September 2, 1945 were filled with information related to the Independence Day at Ba Dinh Square.

Also because of that special feature, on page 1, the newspaper boldly wrote: Special edition on Independence Day. Taking up a large space right at the top of page 1 of Dong Phat newspaper No. 6107 was an article with a bold, large, clear headline: “Long live Vietnam’s independence”. Right below the article’s title was a line that sounded like an announcement with a request: “At 2 p.m. today, all citizens must attend “Independence Day”. A little below was the line: “Independence Day in all the provinces of Central, Southern, and Northern provinces will clearly demonstrate our fighting spirit in solidarity, order, and determination ”.

Dong Phat Newspaper (page 1), No. 6107 published on Sunday, special edition on Independence Day, September 2, 1945.

In the article, the sentences are both informative and reminding the people: “ September 2nd is “Independence Day”, which is a holiday, a large meeting of the Government held throughout the Central, South and North – mobilizing the entire population to practice and prepare forces to fight resolutely for the independence of the country. Therefore, for no reason, Vietnamese citizens should not think about the survival of the country, for no reason should they not attend “Independence Day” to fight for that survival – even if it is only a fierce struggle in spirit…”; “For the first time, President Ho Chi Minh of the Government introduced himself to the people. The people need to form a full and tight line around the President. This action is not only to support President Ho Chi Minh, but to show once again that the entire people have great confidence in the Provisional Democratic Government - a Democratic Republic Government that does not distinguish between political parties, but only knows how to serve the nation, fighting for complete independence. "Independence Day" will let everyone fulfill that duty. Not only in the meeting in Ba Dinh garden, but also in each family, each workshop, each factory, in the sincere and enthusiastic hearts. The determination of our beloved Vietnamese citizens ."

On the right side, right next to the article “Long Live Independent Vietnam”, the newspaper published the full text of the Independence Oath of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam before the nation: “ We will resolutely lead the entire people to maintain the independence of the Fatherland and implement the program of the Viet Minh, in order to bring freedom and happiness to the nation. While maintaining independence, we are determined to overcome all difficulties and dangers, even if we have to sacrifice our lives” . Right below is the “National Oath” vowing with the Government “to maintain complete independence for the Fatherland, to fight against the plot of invasion, even if we have to die with satisfaction”.

Dong Phat Newspaper (page 2), No. 6107 published on Sunday, special edition on Independence Day, September 2, 1945

Below the two articles mentioned above, the special issue of Dong Phat Newspaper published “Official program of the “Rally” and demonstration in Hanoi (with changes from the old program)”. It clearly stated the content of the Sunday afternoon program including the following: “ Shooting guns to welcome the Provisional Government; Salute the flag; Sing the Marching Song; Delegates of the organizing committee read the opening program and introduce the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; President Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Read the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; The Government took the oath before the nation; Speeches: Speech by President Ho Chi Minh, speech by Delegates of the Provisional Government, speech by Delegates of the Viet Minh General Department; People swore independence; Shouted slogans; Delegates of the organizing committee declared the closing and the rally turned into a demonstration of power through the Western streets to gather at the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake before disbanding…” .

Right below the program content, the newspaper also published a diagram clearly stating the positions reserved for each gender under the heading “INSTRUCTIONS”. According to the diagram, the location of the Independence Stage and the standing positions of each gender in the ceremony are numbered in specific order as follows: 1. Urban and suburban residents; 2. Organized groups (associations, unions, etc.); 3. Employees of public and private agencies; 4. Military (liberation army, police, etc.); 5. Women, elders, clergy, music; 6. First aid station and chief of order; 7. Liaison, order; 8. Central first aid station; Independence Station is the black dot in the middle of the flower garden”. The organizations participating in the rally as well as the entrances to Ba Dinh flower garden have very detailed instructions: “The groups must go in rows of ten. The self-defense team only carries sticks and no other weapons and is responsible for maintaining order and morale in their group. The self-defense team must have its own signs. The "singing and shouting slogans" are instructed very clearly: "When shouting, the self-defense team must appoint a leader to have unanimity."

Also on page 1, Dong Phat newspaper also published the "martial law hours in Hanoi", from 11 pm to 5 am with the emphasis "according to independent Vietnam time". The newspaper also published the "office working hours" implemented from September 3, 1945, accordingly: Morning: 6:30 am to 11 am; Afternoon: 2 pm to 5 pm. The newspaper also published "Open letter to the Allied delegation", "Reception of the Allied delegation in Saigon"; "A meeting of women"... Concluding the entire page 1 is a bold, all-capitalized line so that all readers can be attracted when holding the newspaper in their hands: "Attending the Independence Day demonstration is fulfilling the duty of a Vietnamese citizen".

The atmosphere and information about the Independence Day continued to be clearly shown on page 2 of the special issue of Dong Phat newspaper. The newspaper published an invitation from the Vietnam Buddhist Association to Buddhists: “ Today, September 2, 1945, is the Independence Day of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, all Buddhists everywhere, at exactly 7:00 a.m., please go to the pagodas to chant the Medicine Master Sutra to pray for the country's independence to be consolidated forever. At 1:00 p.m., please respectfully invite all monks, nuns, and believers to gather at Quan Su Pagoda to attend the rally and demonstration organized by the Government. At the pagodas, at exactly 2:00 p.m., chant the Amitabha Sutra to pray for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland...”.

The newspaper also issued a general appeal: “ Today, the whole country celebrates “Independence Day” very solemnly everywhere. To show the close solidarity of the people, the streets should send a few young people to lead the elders to gather at Khai Tri Tien Duc to attend the demonstration this afternoon.” The newspaper also published many small, interesting pieces of information related to Independence Day such as: “ The owner of the restaurant at 47 Hang Quat has the intention of donating to the Vietnam Liberation Army Fund the money collected - both capital and profit on Independence Day”; “At 8 a.m. today, September 2, theaters and cinemas will have special performances about independence. Of course, the price of “independence” and many items will be discounted to serve the public on this special day.”

Cuu Quoc issue 36/1945: The first newspaper to publish the full text of the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Although it was not published on September 2, 1945, the newspaper Cuu Quoc, the propaganda organ of the Viet Minh, had another great honor: it was the newspaper that was allowed to publish the full text of the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in issue 36 published on September 5, 1945 - 3 days after the Independence Day. The Declaration was solemnly published on the front page.

A map showing the designated areas for different genders as well as the entrance to Ba Dinh Square was published in Dong Phat newspaper. Photo: Kien Nghia/Tien Phong.

As the issue was published just 3 days after Independence Day when all the echoes of this particularly important event were still very hot, it is understandable that the September 5 issue of Cuu Quoc devoted a lot of space to vividly reflecting on Independence Day. On the front page, right next to the Declaration of Independence, was the article “The rally and demonstration at Ba Dinh Square during the “Independence Day” ceremony”.

In the article, the reporter of the newspaper Cuu Quoc "reported" in detail the atmosphere on September 2 in Hanoi. " Since 12 noon, the roads leading to Ba Dinh flower garden, the place chosen to celebrate the "Independence Day" ceremony, saw a stream of people flowing in. There were all kinds of people, all groups. Workers, public and private office employees, elders in the city, women, young people, children". "People noticed that in this ceremony, there were also people who had always been absent from political demonstrations: monks. All of them, that day, no longer maintained the usual distinctions of class, religion, gender, generation... At that time, everyone was just a Vietnamese citizen among other Vietnamese citizens welcoming the official declaration of the country's independence".

Also according to the description of the newspaper Cuu Quoc, “ The Ba Dinh Flower Garden stage was solemnly and solemnly decorated, “a high platform was set up, with red and white cloth stretched across it, in the middle was a white flagpole rising high. The radio was placed on the stage. The groups attending the ceremony, in the order set by the Organizing Committee, stood in front of the construction site. Closest to the stage, one could see the group of city elders, the Buddhist group, the Catholic group and the women's group... A liberation army soldier, with a bayonet shining on the muzzle of his gun, stood in the lead behind the flagpole. On the outside, looking far away, one could only see a sea of ​​white people, on which fluttered a forest of red flags, shining brightly under the sunlight of a brilliant autumn day” .

Also according to the newspaper Cuu Quoc, “At 2 p.m., the ceremony began. The red flag with a yellow star was slowly raised to the flagpole, to the music of the song “Tien Quan Ca”. On the flagpole, government officials, bareheaded, stood up and raised their fists in salute. Below, a forest of arms also raised. A solemn silence. A scene both grand and moving.

Next, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, declaring to the world and the nation the independence and democracy of Vietnam. This was followed by the oath of the Government: “ We will resolutely lead the entire people to maintain the independence of the country and implement the program of the Viet Minh, to bring freedom and happiness to the nation; while maintaining independence, we will resolutely overcome difficulties and dangers, even if we have to sacrifice our lives.”

The Government's oath was published in full in the Trung Bac Tan Van newspaper, issue 261, September 9, 1945. Photo courtesy

After the Government took the oath, Minister of the Interior Vo Nguyen Giap presented the domestic situation and the Government's policies. Next, Mr. Tran Huy Lieu reported on the reception of King Bao Dai's abdication, and presented to the nation the national seal and the golden sword that King Bao Dai had handed over to the People's Government. After that, Mr. Nguyen Luong Bang - representative of the Viet Minh General Department, a Viet Minh soldier, recounted the arduous and difficult struggle that the Viet Minh had pursued over the past few years to liberate the nation and called on all compatriots to unite and unite to support the Government, so that the Government could thoroughly implement the Viet Minh's nation-building program.

Also on the 36th issue of Cuu Quoc, the newspaper solemnly published on the front page the Oath of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; the Oath of the People; the Announcement of the Northern Viet Minh Committee sent to the Viet Minh comrades. Of particular note on the September 5 issue of Cuu Quoc, in the boldly outlined box at the bottom of the page, is President Ho Chi Minh's call to the people: " Compatriots! The Vietnamese people welcome the Allied troops entering Vietnam to disarm the Japanese army, but resolutely oppose the French troops entering Vietnam, because their only purpose is to enslave the Vietnamese people once again. Fellow countrymen! Currently, some French troops have entered our country. Be ready to wait for the Government's orders to fight."

Newspapers: Nuoc Nam, Trung Bac Tan Van, Co Giai Phong: Recreating the historical atmosphere at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945

The event of Independence Day on September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, attracted special attention from the public, so not only the Revolutionary Press but also the newspapers owned by intellectuals at that time devoted a lot of time to solemnly and in detail publishing the event, not only recording the information but also spreading the messages from the Declaration of Independence.

The newspaper Nuoc Nam, issue 282, published on September 8, 1945, when describing “Independence Day in Hanoi”, “ That day, which happened to be a Sunday, people everywhere excitedly gathered at the place where the important event took place, Ba Dinh Square” reported in detail about the event of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence as well as some Ministers in the provisional government taking the podium to speak, such as Minister of the Interior Vo Nguyen Giap speaking about the domestic situation and foreign affairs, Minister of Propaganda Tran Huy Lieu “ recounting the journey to Hue and the abdication ceremony of King Bao Dai”.

Trung Bac Tan Van newspaper on September 9, 1945 dedicated a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to its cover and devoted many pages to Independence Day September 2, 1945, including the memoir “Today is Independence Day! Long live independence! Long live independence!” which described in detail the atmosphere of the nation’s historical day: “ Independence! Independence! This electric sound today (September 2, 1945) resounded in the air like an explosion. It resounded from Bach Mai through Hue street, straight to Quan Thanh, Buoi market, resounded from Trem Ve village, passing Nghi Tam and all the way to Thanh Tri village. Independence! Independence! Resounded from Hanoi to Saigon! After so many years - three quarters of a century - this word Independence had disappeared from the Vietnamese people’s dictionary, only today it exploded again from the market of the homeland of the land of “beloved Vietnam for a thousand years”, “Tomorrow, the sky will be bright and bustling. "Independent Vietnam will become a powerful country with the strong solidarity of 25 million Vietnamese people vowing to live and die together" - the article affirmed.

Liberation Flag Newspaper No. 16, published on September 12, 1945, solemnly published the full text of the “Declaration of Independence” as well as a portrait sketch of President Ho Chi Minh and solemnly framed the article on the front page. The newspaper also reported on the September 2, 1945 rally at Ba Dinh Square.

The Vietnam Republic Official Gazette, September 1945 issue, published the Proclamation dated August 28, 1945 on the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the list of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; published the Proclamation of the abdication of Emperor Bao Dai of Vietnam on August 24, 1945.

It can be said that a vivid, detailed and realistic picture of Independence Day, the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, was recorded quite successfully by the Vietnamese press 78 years ago.

Trang Ha

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mot-quang-canh-vua-lon-lao-vua-rung-dong-post262394.html