- January 26, 1930 was earlier celebrated as India’s Independence Day or Purna Swaraj Day. It is actually the day India decided to fight for complete Freedom from the British.
- After India achieved Independence on August 15 in 1947, we wanted January 26 to be remembered in history as well. Therefore, the day was made to coincide with the day of Swaraj.
- Republic Day celebrations last for 3 days. The ‘Beating Retreat’ on 29th January marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations.
- ‘Abide with me’, an English song is played during the Republic day parade. It is believed to be Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite song.
- India has the longest constitution in the world with 448 articles. It is written in both Hindi and English.
- The President addresses the Republic Day whereas; the Prime Minister addresses the Independence Day.
- The Veer Chakra, Maha Veer Chakra, Param Veer Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Padma Bhushan, Bharat Ratna awards etc. are given away on the Republic Day.
- Writing the constitution was a long process.It took the Assembly 166 days that was spread over 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before drafting the final version of the Constitution.
- The first Republic Day parade at Rajpath was held in 1955.
- Both of the originally hand-written Indian Constitution copies are kept safely in the helium-filled cases at the Library of Parliament House
