India woke up to freedom on this day, way back in 1947, after a struggle which spanned centuries. The British handed the rule of the country to the Indian leaders at the stroke of midnight. 

India's Independence is celebrated on this day by hoisting the tri-coloured flag in the state capitals, and holding cultural programmes. 

Though schools and colleges may not have a holiday on this day, no academic work is done. Students and teachers gather for a flag hoisting ceremony, and they sing the National Anthem. The rest of the country, however, usually enjoys a holiday on this day. 

It is a time when we must sit back and remember the freedom strugglers, without whom we may never have got our freedom. 

Rani Laxmi Bai, the Queen of Jhansi, lead her people into a battle against the British in which she fought like a tiger, and was killed heroically. 
 
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, lead the country to freedom with his non-violent ideals. He remains a symbol of peace to this day.  

Sardar Vallabhai Patel was responsible for uniting the princely states into one country. 

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, remembered for his court statement in which he proclaimed 'Swaraj is my birthright, and I will have it!'
 
Bhagat Singh, threw a bomb when the Legislature was in session, and was arrested and hung.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was elected President of the Congress when he was just 35. 

Dr. Annie Besant, a Britisher, supported India's freedom struggle wholeheartedly and founded the Home Rule league in India. 

Ashfaqualla Khan, a revolutionary who was given the death sentence, kissed the noose before it went around his neck. 
 

Some of the more prominent freedom movements were:

The Mutiny of 1857
This mutiny was the turning point of the freedom movement, though it was suppressed by the British. It was the first organized freedom struggle on such a large scale, and paved the way for further struggles for freedom.
 

The Civil Disobedience Movement of 1929
It was decided to celebrate Indian Independence Day on the 26th of January. On this day the freedom fighters, spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi, hoisted India's national flag. It was decided to completely disregard the orders of the British Government. 
 

The Dandi March of 1930
Gandhi lead a 241-kilometer march to Dandi at the age of 61, and proceeded to make salt in defiance of the law by non-violent means. The British had to arrests millions to enforce the law, causing panic in the administration. This march, in fact, was the first strategy of the Civil Disobedience Movement. 
 

The Quit India Movement of 1942
The year 1942 is now identified more with the movie 1942: A Love Story, than it is with the Quit India Movement! This movement called for a widespread, non-violent struggle for India's freedom. Before long there were revolts all over the country, demanding that the British 'quit India'.   
 

Do you know: 
National Anthem? Jana Gana Mana
National Animal? The Tiger
National Bird? The Peacock
National Flower? The Lotus