National Foundation Day
🇰🇷 South Korea
- Public Holiday
- Countrywide
- Fixed date
Overview
National Foundation Day, or Gaecheonjeol (ê°œì²œì ˆ), celebrates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean state, by the legendary king Tan'gun in 2333 BC. The name means "the day the heavens opened." It is a public holiday in South Korea, held every 3 October.
What It Is
Gaecheonjeol is a public holiday in South Korea, observed on 3 October on the solar calendar. It is a national day of celebration centered on the founding of the Korean nation. In North Korea the day is not a public holiday, but an annual ceremony is held at the Mausoleum of Tangun, the founder of Gojoseon. A national foundation day song, with lyrics adapted after the holiday became official, is associated with the occasion.
Why It Matters
The holiday rests on the legend that Tan'gun established Gojoseon, which Koreans have traditionally regarded as the first Korean state. The name Gaecheon, "opening of heaven," refers to the tale of Hwanung descending from heaven to live among people. The celebration was established in 1909, during a period of Japanese colonial pressure, to foster the spirit of the Korean people. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea kept it as a national holiday in 1919, and Korea's 1948 official calendar counted years from Tan'gun's founding.
Countries Celebrating
1 country
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