Myanmar marks anniversary of killing of founding father
Myanmar's civilian and military leaders have jointly commemorated the anniversary of the assassination of the country's independence hero, who was gunned down 72 years ago along with members of his cabinet.
Aung San died just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved its freedom from British colonial rule.
Myanmar's current leader, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi — the daughter of Aung San — laid a wreath Friday at the solemn Martyrs' Day ceremony in a park in Yangon.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi prays at the tomb of her late father and Myanmar's independence hero Gen. Aung San during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of his 1947 assassination, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum Friday, July 19, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947. (AP PhotoThein Zaw)
Also present were President Win Myint, and the powerful military chief, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.
Myanmar emerged from decades of military dictatorship in the last few years, with an election in 2015 returning it to civilian-led rule.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, lays flower basket at the tomb of her late father and Myanmar's independence hero Gen. Aung San during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of his 1947 assassination, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum Friday, July 19, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947. (AP PhotoThein Zaw)
Soldiers stand in attention during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of the 1947 assassination of independence heroes including Gen. Aung San, the late father of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Friday, July 19, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947. (AP PhotoThein Zaw)
Myanmar police salute to the tomb of national hero Gen. Aung San during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of the 1947 assassination of independence heroes including Gen. Aung San, the late father of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Friday, July 19, 2019, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947.(AP PhotoAung Shine Oo)
Myanmar officials arrange carpets in front of the tomb of Myanmar's independence hero Gen. Aung San during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of his 1947 assassination, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum Friday, July 19, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947. (AP PhotoThein Zaw)
Myanmar President Win Myint, front, walks to lay flower wreath along with, from right back row, Military Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Upper House Speaker Mann Win Khaing Than, Vice President Mint Swe, Lower House Speaker T Khun Myat, and Myanmar Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo, at the tomb of Myanmar's independence hero Gen. Aung San during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of his 1947 assassination, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum Friday, July 19, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947. (AP PhotoThein Zaw)
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, walks to offer flower basket at the tomb of her late father and Myanmar's independence hero Gen. Aung San during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of his 1947 assassination, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum Friday, July 19, 2019, in Yangon, Myanmar. The country's Independence hero Gen. Aung San and his cabinet were gunned down in 1947. (AP PhotoThein Zaw)