Republic Day 2023: 73 years of Republic, know 10 quick facts related to Republic Day
Republic Day was celebrated for the first time in the country in the year 1950. On this day Dr. Rajendra Prasad started his tenure as the President of India.
Shefali Rana 
India is celebrating its 74th Republic Day this time on 26 January 2023. But do you know why it is celebrated only on January 26? What is its history? Lets understand this quickly As, today we are telling you the whole story through these ten points.
- Republic Day was celebrated for the first time in the country in the year 1950. On this day Dr. Rajendra Prasad started his tenure as the President of India.
- The country got independence from the British Raj in the year 1947, but it did not have its own constitution. India got its constitution on 26 January 1950.
- Dr. BR Ambedkar headed the drafting committee of the constitution. The country was declared a republic, so this day is celebrated as Republic Day.
- The Constitution of India is the longest constitution in the world with 444 articles divided into 22 parts, and 12 schedules with 118 amendments till date.
- The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force in the year 1950.
- The first Republic Day parade was held in 1950 at Irwin Amphitheater (now Major Dhyan Chand Stadium). In which three thousand Indian military personnel and more than 100 aircraft participated.
- The first parade at Rajpath was held in 1955 when the Governor General of Pakistan, Malik Ghulam Muhammad, came as the chief guest.
- On 26 January 1930, the Indian National Congress opposed the Dominion status of British rule and demanded Poorna Swaraj. Thus India's independence from colonial rule was declared.
- Every year a leader of a particular nation is invited as the chief guest for the Republic Day parade. Indonesian President Sukarno was the first chief guest to attend India's Republic Day celebrations in 1950. Every member of the army participating in the march has to go through four layers of checking, even as their weapons are extensively inspected to ensure they are not carrying live bullets.
- Every year a 21-gun salute is fired when the President of India unfurls the national flag on Republic Day and India's Republic Day celebrations last for three days by singing 'Abide by Me' during the Beating Retreat. The President of the country addresses on Republic Day, while the Prime Minister of the country addresses on Independence Day.
