Republic of the Union of Myanmar Message of Greetings sent by President U Htin Kyaw on the occasion of the 97th Anniversary of National Day Celebrations

(13 November 2017)

Dear Esteemed Nationals of the Union,

On this auspicious occasion of the 97th Anniversary of National Day which falls on the 10th Waning Day of Tazaungmone, ME 1397 (November 13), I wish to send my Message of Greetings and good wishes to all the ethnic national races and Union citizens for their auspiciousness, good health and happiness.

If we take a look back into history to understand why we have been celebrating our National Days annually, we may see that it originated from the fact that the university students from Rangoon University and Judson College began their strike on this day the 10th Waning Day of Tazaungmone, ME 1282 (5 December 1920), to protest the promulgation of the University Act which placed restrictions on the right of Myanmar citizens to pursue university education. From this strike to protest the unlawful University Act, the students strike spread and reverberated to all parts of the country. As a consequence of this strike, the nationalistic spirit of the Myanmar people matured and national schools sprouted up all over the country. This students strike was not only confined to university education but finally emerged as a huge revolution which natured and mobilized our nationalistic spirit. The nationalistic spirit which was given birth by this revolution developed and grew stronger and finally became strong enough for us to gain our Independence.

The ninth GCBA meeting which was held in Mandalay from 21 to 24 October 1921began discussions to designate the 10th Waning Day of Tazaaungmone, 1282, the day on which the first students strike began as National Day and the GCBA Special Meeting which began deliberations on 17 June 1922 decided and approved that this day should be designated as National Day. Starting from that day onwards to ensure that the spirit of nationalism would always be embedded in the hearts of the people, we have been celebrating National Day all over the country with pomp and ceremony every year and this year marks the 97th year, moving closer towards our centenary year.

This is the time when all the people of the Union should show the strength of their unity and elevate it to the greatest height. At this time the Union Government, the people, the Tatmadaw, Hluttaw, political parties, community-based organizations, and ethnic armed groups are all on the path of national development in unity like never before. That is why all organizations should walk on this correct path steadfastly, together with the people, without wavering or losing balance while nurturing our unity to new levels of strength.

At the same time, today in Myanmar, we have been convening the Union Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong to establish a genuine Democratic Federal Union.

With firm aspirations, on this our National Day, as we work for the emergence of a Union based on democracy and federalism, I earnestly urge all the people to hold in highest esteem the following National Day objectives and work with the strength of national unity: -

- Perpetuation and strengthening of Nationalism

- Work for Union Peace

- All round development of all ethnic national races

- Emergence of a Democratic Federal Union

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar