Today’s Doodle celebrates Malaysia’s Independence Day, also known as Hari Merdeka or Hari Kebangsaan. On this day in 1957, over 20,000 people gathered at the Merdeka Stadium in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur as government officials shouted “Merdeka!” seven times in a declaration of freedom. This event marked the official birth of the Federation of Malaya which was renamed Malaysia in 1963.
Situated at the geographical intersection of many Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia is a melting pot of several ethnicities originating across the region. The unity of different cultures is highlighted during the annual Merdeka Parade in Kuala Lumpur. This display of the nation’s diverse heritage begins at Merdeka Square and features speeches from national leaders, parades of elaborately decorated floats, and crowds of residents and visitors waving the national flag which is depicted in the Doodle artwork.
The parade culminates in seven communal exclamations of “Merdeka!” to honor the original declaration of independence. Celebrations extend from the capital across the Malaysian peninsula and throughout its 878 islands.
Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia! Happy Independence Day, Malaysia!
Today’s Doodle celebrates Malaysia’s Independence Day, also known as Hari Merdeka or Hari Kebangsaan. On this day in 1957, over 20,000 people gathered at the Merdeka Stadium in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur as government officials shouted “Merdeka!” seven times in a declaration of freedom. This event marked the official birth of the Federation of Malaya which was renamed Malaysia in 1963.
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The parade culminates in seven communal exclamations of “Merdeka!” to honor the original declaration of independence. Celebrations extend from the capital across the Malaysian peninsula and throughout its 878 islands.
Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia! Happy Independence Day, Malaysia!