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`On March 1 this year, we are to observe the 60th anniversary of the nation`s uprising sgainst the then Japanese imperialists for the recovery of our sovereignty and independence from colonial eule. Indeed the liberation from the imperialist regin in 1945, followed by the establishmwnt of the Republic of Korea in 1948, owed largely to the epical campaign of resistance and independence uprising in 1919, named Samil Undong(March 1 Independence Movement). The nationwide campaign was first ignited by a group of Korea students studying in the Japanese capital city of Tokyo, who, capitalizing on the surge of self­determining principle of peace in the world immediately after the end of World War I, proclaimed the February 8 Statement of Independence and led the nation in the Samil Movement. Following suit, 33 patriots back in Seoul, including the late Sohn Byung-hee, resolutely pronounced nation`s independence toward the entire world at Pagoda Park on March 1, 1919. The declaration of independence drafted for that occasion expostulated with the Japanese and the world on the rationale and relevance of our independence, with all the people faithfully living up to the admonition of the movement`s organizers enjoining them from resorting to militant or violent means. The sublime and gallant spirit Samil Movement indeed promoted our vigor and strength for self­reliance and our volition to build a strong prosperous and peace­loving nation. In the hope that all our people revive the profound spirit of patriotism of our heroic forefathers, on this occasion of observing the 60th anniversary of the nation`s uprising, toiling further for the promotion of national culture and the creation of a new history of mankind in anticipation of the eventual reunification of our divided territoty, the Ministry of Communications is issuing this commemorative postage stamp.`