Explained: Why August 15 Became India’s Independence Day Instead of January 26

Did you know January 26 was once celebrated as India’s Independence Day? In 1929, under Jawaharlal Nehru’s call for poorna swaraj, Congress marked January 26 as the chosen date for freedom. But historic events in the years leading up to 1947 changed that — with August 15 becoming our Independence Day, and January 26 later commemorated as Republic Day, the day India’s Constitution came into force. Here’s the fascinating history behind the dates that define our nation.