Myanmar will celebrate the 69th anniversary of achieving independence from Great Britain’s 60-year colonial rule on January 4, 2017. In 1945, General Aung San unified the divided Burmese people and fought alongside the British to expel Japanese forces from Burma in World War II, allowing nationalist leader General Aung San to establish political influence in the region. In 1947, General Aung San signed the Panglong Agreement that guaranteed Burma’s independent sovereignty, and the the Union of Burma (renamed ‘Myanmar’ in 1989) became an independent republic in 1948. Since this landmark in the country’s history, Myanmar has undergone several political revolutions in its movement towards democracy. In 2015 Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Myanmar on “moving one step closer to a more democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future.” As Myanmar’s independence day approaches, consider these four fascinating facts about the holiday that reflect its vibrant history and promising future. These four insights give us a glimpse into Myanmar’s vibrant culture and their path towards independence. As Myanmar moves towards a new era of democracy, progress, and peace, the Burmese celebrate January 4th as a landmark moment in their country’s rich history. Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is a cross-cultural consultant, an international protocol expert and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide. She is accredited in intercultural management, is the resident etiquette expert for CBS Austin’s We Are Austin, regularly quoted by BBC Capital, Investor’s Business Daily, Fortune, The New York Times, and numerous other media. She is the best-selling, international award-winning author of Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, named to Kirkus Review’s Best Books of 2015 and recipient of the British Airways International Trade, Investment & Expansion Award at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards. Photo Credit Pixabay
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