YANGON, July 19 -- Myanmar held a state ceremony here Wednesday to mark the country's 70th Martyrs' Day, commemorating fallen national heroes including General Aung San and eight others who sacrificed their lives in 1947 for regaining the country's independence from British colonialists in 1948.
General Aung San was the founder of Myanmar's armed forces.
Myanmar's national flag was flown half-mast across the country to mark the event.
First Vice President U Myint Swe paid tribute at the tombs of the martyrs in commemoration of the Martyrs' Day at the Martyrs' Mausoleum.
State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, laid wreathes at the tombs.
A siren was sounded by Myanmar Radio and Television at 10:37 a.m. local time to observe the time of the assassination of the martyrs.
Following the official ceremony, the martyrs' mausoleum was open to the public for paying tribute.
General Aung San, along with eight others including his bodyguard and seven councilor members, were all assassinated at Yangon's then prime minister's office on July 19, 1947 before Myanmar regained independence on Jan. 4, 1948.
The previous prime ministers' office in downtown Yangon was also open to the public for visit.
