Memories of the first independence day

On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Exactly 80 years have passed, but the witnesses who were present at that sacred moment still retain their emotions intact.

Memories of September 2, 1945 are a great source of inspiration for musician Doan Nho to compose songs that last through the years.

For them, witnessing the first day of independence was not only a source of pride, but also a motivation to live and dedicate their whole lives to the revolution and the Fatherland.

Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Tien Ha was born into a family with a rich tradition of patriotism. Growing up in a country under the yoke of French colonial rule, he soon nurtured the desire to liberate the nation from his teenage years. In 1944, when he was only 16 years old, he began participating in revolutionary activities. His and his teammates' work at that time was to distribute leaflets, post propaganda posters, propagate and enlighten the masses, and open classes to teach the national language to poor workers...

Mr. Ha was one of the first members of the Hoang Dieu Citadel National Salvation Youth Union, the core force of the capital’s youth at that time. Therefore, he deeply understood the meaning of the two words “Independence”, and longed to live in a free country.

Recalling September 2, 1945, he emotionally recounted: Our Hoang Dieu National Salvation Youth Union was assigned the task of calling on people to attend the rally. That morning, I went with the members of the union and the people to Ba Dinh Square. We were all excited, holding high the Red Flag with the Yellow Star, shouting slogans. Previously, carrying the flag like that was an act that had to be done secretly, but now it was done openly in broad daylight, in front of tens of thousands of people, the feeling was hard to describe.

When the ceremony took place, I was lucky to stand near the flagpole, when Uncle Ho stepped out, my heart was filled with joy. He was simple in faded khaki, no suit, no tie, far from my imagination of a leader. When Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence, he occasionally stopped to ask: "Did you hear me clearly, my people?" and the whole square shouted in unison: "Yes! Yes!". That was the moment that moved me the most.

In Mr. Ha’s memory, the first day of independence was not only a historical event, but also the day he clearly saw the strength of national unity. It was that belief and emotion that urged him to devote his whole life to revolutionary ideals.

If Mr. Nguyen Tien Ha attended the ceremony as a young revolutionary, then Colonel - musician Doan Nho was only a 12-year-old boy at that time. But it was the memories from that historic day that nurtured in him a love for the revolution, a love for the Fatherland, which later became the inspiration for him to compose songs that would last through the years.

Musician Doan Nho was born into a family with a rich revolutionary tradition in Cot village, on the outskirts of Hanoi. His house used to be a secret base, a meeting place for the suburban Party Committee led by comrade Vu Oanh. From a young age, he was familiar with the image of Viet Minh cadres coming and going, holding meetings at his house. He himself was also assigned the task of being a liaison and protecting the revolutionary base. In addition, because of his musical talent, he was also assigned the task of instructing team members to learn to sing, propagate and popularize revolutionary songs.

The night before September 2, he was so excited that he could not sleep. He waited until early the next morning. The boy Doan Nho put on his frog drum and joined the children's team leading the parade from Cau Giay, along Kim Ma Street to Ba Dinh Square. On the way, everyone sang revolutionary songs, shook hands with everyone they met, and shared the joy of people about to become citizens of an independent country.

He recalled: When Uncle Ho appeared on the podium, I was extremely happy. Everyone knew that it was Nguyen Ai Quoc - the leader that the nation had been waiting for. When Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence, happiness surged in everyone when they witnessed their country officially being named on the world map.

“I still remember, in the middle of the rally, there was an American plane flying around the sky of Ba Dinh. The people in the square raised the Red Flag with the Yellow Star and waved it in greeting, as an affirmation: Vietnam is independent, free, and equal to other countries. That moment was deeply engraved in my mind, enlightening me and urging me to follow the revolutionary path. The emotions from that sacred, proud moment helped me later compose revolutionary musical works such as: the symphony “Historical August”, the song “Advancing under the Military Flag”, “Five Brothers on a Tank”… Musician Doan Nho was moved.

80 years have passed, the country has undergone many changes, from the arduous years of resistance to the construction, innovation and integration today. But the value of independence and freedom that the previous generations won with their blood and bones remains intact, never fading. Today, when standing on Ba Dinh Square, looking up at Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, every Vietnamese citizen cannot help but recall that historic moment. Although today's generation did not witness it directly, through the stories of witnesses, they can still feel the sacredness and grandeur of the revolutionary autumn of 1945.

The memories of Mr. Nguyen Tien Ha or musician Doan Nho are not only personal stories, but also reminders of sacrifice, faith and the strength of national unity. They are invaluable spiritual provisions for today's and future generations in the cause of building a prosperous country, firmly integrating, preserving identity and nurturing national pride.

Article and photos: VUONG DIEM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ky-uc-ve-ngay-doc-lap-dau-tien-post905186.html