Apart from India, which other country celebrates its national Independence Day on 15 August each year?

Introduction / Context:
National days, especially Independence Days, are common topics in general knowledge quizzes and competitive exams. India celebrates its Independence Day on 15 August each year to mark the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Interestingly, another country also observes its national day on the same date, though it commemorates a different historical event. This question asks you to identify that country, testing both your awareness of Indian history and your familiarity with international observances.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The key date is 15 August, which is India's Independence Day.
• The question asks for another country that celebrates its own Independence or national day on the same calendar date.
• The options list South Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
• You must remember which of these holds its main national celebration on 15 August.

Concept / Approach:
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, observes a holiday known as Gwangbokjeol, meaning Restoration of Light Day, on 15 August. This day commemorates the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, at the end of the Second World War. Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on 14 August, Sri Lanka has its national day in February and Myanmar observes its main national day on a different date as well. Therefore, by comparing national holidays, you can identify South Korea as the country that shares 15 August as a national day with India, even though the historical contexts are distinct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Confirm that India celebrates Independence Day on 15 August to mark independence in 1947. Step 2: Recall that Pakistan gained independence at nearly the same time but chooses 14 August for its national celebration. Step 3: Remember that South Korea commemorates liberation from Japanese rule on 15 August, calling the day Gwangbokjeol. Step 4: Note that Sri Lanka and Myanmar have different national day dates and are not associated with 15 August as their primary independence observance. Step 5: Select South Korea as the correct answer because it is the country that also celebrates its national day on 15 August.

Verification / Alternative Check:
If you consult lists of national days by country, you will see that India and South Korea both mark 15 August. However, the events they remember are different. India looks back to the transfer of power from Britain in 1947, while South Korea marks its liberation from Japanese rule in 1945 and the restoration of Korean sovereignty. Pakistan's Independence Day on 14 August often appears next to India's date in discussions of Partition, which can cause confusion, but the one day difference is important. Sri Lanka's Independence Day is on 4 February and Myanmar's major national day is on a different date, confirming that they are not correct matches for 15 August.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pakistan may seem like a tempting choice because it became an independent state at the same historical moment as India, but its official Independence Day is 14 August, not 15 August. Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, celebrates independence on 4 February, and Myanmar has its own schedule for national commemorations that does not centre on 15 August. These countries therefore do not share the exact date with India, even if they have their own important independence histories.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume that Pakistan must be the answer simply because of the shared history of Partition and the closeness of the dates. Students may also forget that South Korea celebrates the end of Japanese colonial rule on the same day as India celebrates the end of British rule. To avoid confusion, pay attention not only to the historical relationships between countries but also to the exact calendar dates. Memorising a small set of matching national days, such as India and South Korea on 15 August, can help you quickly answer such questions.

Final Answer:
Apart from India, the country that celebrates its national Independence Day on 15 August is South Korea (Republic of Korea), so that option is correct.