President Ho Chi Minh left our nation an extremely precious legacy. That is the Ho Chi Minh era - the most brilliant era in the glorious history of the nation - with the era of independence, freedom associated with socialism.
Thanh Hoa City is brilliant with flags to celebrate National Day September 2. Photo: Le Hoi
From the first day of independence...
The first National Day - September 2, 1945, will forever be the most important holiday of our nation, when Vietnam officially broke free from the shackles and chains of colonialism for nearly a century, to enter a new era of development, full of heroism and glory. And although that sacred historical moment can only be seen through black and white documentary film, the heroic spirit and the joy and happiness shining in the eyes of those who participated in that great festival, seem to overflow from the screen, to permeate the joyful atmosphere of today's historic autumn days.
On September 2nd, 79 years ago, Hanoi was filled with enthusiasm and the red flag with the yellow star was shining brightly. Large, proud banners written in Vietnamese, French, Russian, English, and Chinese: “Vietnam for the Vietnamese”, “Independence or Death”, “Support the Provisional Government”, “Support President Ho Chi Minh”... were hung all over the streets. The autumn sky in Hanoi seemed higher and bluer, as the capital was honored to represent the localities in the whole country, to organize the first Independence Day. The melody of the “Marching Song” resounded majestically and the red flag with the yellow star was slowly raised. In the solemn atmosphere, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, solemnly read the “Declaration of Independence”, declaring to all the people and to the world that: The independent and free Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born!
“The Declaration of Independence” - an immortal piece of literature opened with an eternal truth: “All men are created equal. Their Creator has endowed them with certain inalienable rights; among these are the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to the pursuit of happiness. These are undeniable truths.” Yet, these “inalienable rights” were trampled upon by the French colonialists under the banner of “liberty, equality, and fraternity.” The crimes committed by the French colonialists against the Vietnamese people were not only “robbing our country”; but also implementing an extremely reactionary policy in all aspects of politics, economics, culture, society... in order to “oppress our compatriots.”
In the fall of 1940, Japanese fascists invaded Indochina. The French colonialists knelt down and surrendered, not only not “protecting” our people, but also “selling our country to Japan”. From then on, our people suffered under two layers of French and Japanese shackles, making them even more miserable and poor. After March 9, 1945, when Japan and France fought each other, the French colonialists were defeated and fled, but their brutality and cowardice did not stop but increased when “they also heartlessly killed a large number of political prisoners in Yen Bai and Cao Bang”. Those were the crimes that President Ho Chi Minh pointed out so that our people and countries around the world could once again see the true face of the “mother country”.
The history of Vietnam is the history of struggles for independence and freedom. And despite having to pay a very high price for independence, our ancestors always maintained a tolerant, altruistic, and noble attitude: not killing prisoners of war and opening a way for the defeated side to live. Inheriting that fine tradition, the "Declaration of Independence" also clearly demonstrated the spirit of tolerance and humanity of our nation and raised high the flag of justice and the correct policies of the Viet Minh Front, demonstrated through rescuing the French from Japanese prisons, protecting their lives and property... after March 9, 1945. This once again shows that, despite having to live under the colonial boot for nearly a century, our nation is still ready to "open a path of mercy" for the enemy.
The “Declaration of Independence” emphasized: “The truth is that our people took back Vietnam from the Japanese, not from the French. The French fled, the Japanese surrendered, and King Bao Dai abdicated. Our people broke the colonial chains of nearly 100 years to build an independent Vietnam. Our people overthrew the monarchy that had lasted for several decades and established a democratic republic." In just a few words, the "Declaration of Independence" affirmed an undeniable historical truth, that "our people took back Vietnam from the Japanese, not from the French", because France had fled. At the same time, it solemnly declared the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; completely abolished the colonial and feudal government, affirmed the freedom and independence of the Vietnamese people before all the Vietnamese people and the whole world. Because "A nation that has courageously fought against French slavery for more than 80 years, a nation that has courageously stood with the Allies against Japanese fascism for several years, that nation must be free! That nation must be independent"!
The "Declaration of Independence" is a historical document of great ideological value and profound practical significance. This document is the culmination of the idea of independence and freedom that was expressed in the "demand" sent to the Versailles Conference, in the "Revolutionary Path", in the "Brief Platform", in the "Political Platform" and in other documents of the Party as well as of the Viet Minh Front. At the same time, the "Declaration of Independence" is the inheritance and development of the idea of patriotism, self-reliance and self-strengthening that has been nurtured and developed since ancient times by the Vietnamese people. In particular, the "Declaration of Independence" is the crystallization of the basic rights and most ardent aspirations of the Vietnamese people, an eloquent expression of the spirit, steadfastness and indomitable will of our nation. "The "Declaration of Independence" is the flower and fruit of the blood shed and the lives sacrificed by the heroic sons of Vietnam in prisons, in concentration camps, on remote islands, on the guillotine, on the battlefield". Therefore, above all, the “Declaration of Independence” that resounded in the autumn sky of Hanoi 79 years ago was “the result of the hopes, efforts and trust of more than twenty million Vietnamese people (...). It ended the autocratic monarchy and the oppressive colonial regime. It opened a new era of democracy and republic” on this land that had suffered so much pain.
President Ho Chi Minh boldly and loudly affirmed before his compatriots and the people of the world that: "Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and has truly become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to devote all their spirit and strength, their lives and property to maintain that freedom and independence"! Then, in a state of boundless emotion and pride, a forest of arms were raised high and clasped together to swear together: Resolutely supporting the Democratic Republic Government, supporting President Ho Chi Minh. The entire people will join the Government to maintain complete independence for the Fatherland, to fight against all schemes of invasion, even if they die with satisfaction. If the French colonialists invade again, they will resolutely not serve as soldiers for the French, not work for the French, not sell food to the French, not show the way to the French. That is the oath extracted from the blood of every patriotic Vietnamese person, to add more color to the flag of Independence Day.
The Independence Day rally ended and was followed by a great demonstration of strength by hundreds of thousands of people, marching around the stage and then dividing into three parade routes through the streets of the capital... And then, history has recorded that Independence Day September 2, 1945 will forever be a great national festival - a day of extremely great significance in the political and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
...to the priceless peaceful autumns
Also on the nation's first Independence Day, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized: "Independence and freedom are treasures, extremely precious. Now that we have suffered and suffered for so many years to gain them, we must strive to preserve and protect them."
Historic Ba Dinh Square - the place that witnessed the great moment: President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
His teachings led our nation and people into two long and arduous resistance wars and achieved great victories. That was the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu, “famous in five continents and shaking the earth”, which put an end to the ambitions of French colonialism in the whole of Indochina. That was the great victory in the spring of 1975, overthrowing the American imperialists and their puppet regime, bringing the country together so that the country could sing a song of triumph. Since then, the country has been free of enemies, and the people have lived in true peace, freedom and independence.
The war has been over for nearly half a century. The past can be put aside, but history must never be forgotten. Because the historical past is the foundation for building pride, self-respect, self-reliance, and self-reliance, so that today's generation can be more confident and strong to build a bright future for Vietnam. And as a veteran's tearful confession has moved today's generation, "Peace is not easy to achieve. Try to keep it"!
Peace. Two words that are full of meaning but contain within them immeasurable value. And more than anyone else, the Vietnamese people understand very well the preciousness of peace, as well as the price to pay for peace. It is a "mourning scarf" that ties the S-shaped strip of land even when the Fatherland has fallen silent. They are mothers who wait for their children, even though their eyes have dimmed with the passage of time, their hearts still do not stop beating with longing. They are daughters and sons who have gone through decades of war, spent their youth before returning to their mothers. They are daughters and sons who have remained forever in the deep forests and mountains, in the middle of the vast ocean, or right in the heart of the enemy, so that the immortal blood of youth dyes the color of the Fatherland's flag and their flesh and blood nurtures the green color of a peaceful life. The two words "peace" are carved from the blood and bones of generations of our fathers and grandfathers; exchanged for countless pains and indomitableness under the heels of foreign invaders that have lasted for centuries. Because peace for a nation in a “very special” geopolitical position like Vietnam is not easy to achieve. Therefore, its value becomes more and more priceless, and must be cherished and preserved.
In fact, the instability, tension, and even escalating war in many regions of the world today have put peaceful life in the "past tense" and become the "dream" of people in many countries and territories. The tragic scene of bombing schools - a shelter for homeless people due to conflict - has made many people in the Gaza Strip exclaim "no longer want to live". That is the extreme helplessness of people because peace has been stolen. That is also the truth, or the tragic backside of the two words "peace", which only when lost do people feel more deeply, more longingly... Looking at it to understand more, to feel more deeply and to be more proud and responsible. Because the picture called "peaceful and beautiful Vietnam" that we are enjoying today, was "sketched" from the "blood ink" and "bone pen" of our ancestors. And, when placed in the current unstable context, it is not an ordinary "painting", but is truly the most fervent "dream" of many nations living in the chaos and pain of war.
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The “torch of peace” that our ancestors have passed down and the responsibility of future generations is to make sure that torch always burns with the brightest flame. So that the light of happiness that peace brings will shine throughout this land. So that the autumns of peace and independence will help us to be more confident under the glorious flag of the Party and “unite into a block of iron and steel”, working together to build Vietnam to become increasingly rich, civilized, cultured and heroic!
Article and photos: Le Dung
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ngay-hoi-lon-cua-non-song-223658.htm
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