Reclaiming the government – a great event of the nation

The 1945 August Revolution – The miraculous revolution of our nation, from the status of being slavery, has “shaken the mud and stood up bright” until now, it has been 77 years. The revolution is considered as a miracle in the twentieth century, overthrowing the oppressive and exploiting regime of colonialism, opening up a glorious and brilliant chapter, marking a great turning point in the nation’s history, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

From April, 1945 onwards, our people’s resistance to the Japanese for national salvation took place strongly. In early May, 1945, Uncle Ho returned to Tuyen Quang from Cao Bang, choosing Tan Trao as the base to direct the national revolution preparing for the National Congress. In August 1945, the Party’s National Conference of the Party held at Tan Trao affirmed that “The time for us to reclaim our independence has come” and decided to launch an all-people uprising to reclaim power from the Japanese fascists and their henchmen, before the Allied troops entered Indochina, and set forth three principles to ensure the victory of the General Uprising, namely: “Concentration, United, Timely”.

The study delegation of Lang Son Geopark listened to the introduction of the celebration space at the Bac Son Uprising Museum. Photo: SWEET MAY

At exactly 23 o’clock on August 13, 1945, the Uprising Committee issued Military Order No. 1, calling the entire people to fight. On August 16, 1945, the National Congress convened in Tan Trao approved the “Ten major policies of the Viet Minh”; passed the “Command of General Uprising”; of which regulated the national flag and national anthem; established the Central Committee for National Liberation, ie the Provisional Government headed by President Ho Chi Minh. President Ho Chi Minh issued a call to the General Uprising ” The decisive hour in the destiny of our people has struck. Let us stand up with all our strength to liberate ourselves”.

Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the people of the country simultaneously rebelled. From August 14 to 18, 1945, the General Uprising broke out to gain victory in the countryside, the Northern Delta, most of the Central region and a part of the South had reclaimed the government. After a very short time of preparation, the Tonkin Party Committee, the Hanoi Party Committee launched the Hanoi People’s Revolt to seize power. On August 19, 1945, early in the morning, Hanoi was filled with the color of the revolutionary flag. Tens of thousands of peasants and poor people with rudimentary weapons occupied Hoan Long district, declaring the establishment of a revolutionary government. Tens of thousands of people in the suburbs, from the following districts: Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin, Phu Xuyen, Hoai Duc, Dan Phuong (Ha Dong), Gia Lam (Bac Ninh) carrying Viet Minh flags, sticks, machetes, knives, and swordsmen entered the inner city with powerful force like a waterfall. All gathered in front of the grand theater. The whole city of Hanoi seemed to be shaken in the chanting of slogans “Support the Viet Minh”, “Revolutionary People’s Government”, “Long live the successful revolution”, “Establishing the Revolutionary Military People’s Committee”, “Vietnam is completely independent”, “Down with all forces opposing the Vietnamese revolution”, “Down with the invaders”… At exactly 11 o’clock, in front of more than 200,000 people gathered in front of the Opera House, the Uprising Committee read the Call to Uprising.

Later, the rally turned into an armed demonstration to seize power. The revolutionary masses, led by armed units, divided into two large blocks to occupy key positions: Tonkin Palace, Post Office, Police Department… Facing with the overwhelming power of the masses and the resilient self-defense force, most of the enemy government offices were quickly returned to the People’s hands. Particularly at the Bao An barracks, the Japanese sent tanks to block the protesters, but stand before the excitement of the masses, they were persuaded by our soldiers to clearly state the policies of the Party and Viet Minh, they had to retreat. On August 20, the Hanoi Revolutionary Government was established, and the Provisional Revolutionary People’s Committee of the North was also organized. In the remaining days of August,1945, the people of the whole country revolted to gain complete victory, and the government in the whole country returned to the People’s hands.

Provincial Librarian introduced books about history to readers. Photo: LA MAI

In that context in Lang Son, the Japanese army was afraid and disbanded, the puppet governor Linh Quang Vong and his henchmen were highly bewildered. On August 19, 1945, at Dong Mo (On Chau), under the leadership of the Viet Minh and the reinforcement of the provincial armed forces, the revolutionary masses unitedly rose up to attack the Japanese army, reclaimed the province, On Chau was completely liberated. On the same day in Huu Lung district, the armed forces and the revolutionary masses also rebelled to take control of Met town. On August 21, 1945, at That Khe (Trang Dinh), under the leadership of the Party Committee, the armed forces and the revolutionary masses rebelled to attack, surround and disarm the Japanese army, reclaimed That Khe town, Trang Dinh district was completely liberated. On August 22, 1945, the armed forces and the revolutionary masses took control of Na Sam and completely liberated Van Uyen district…

In the face of the revolutionary masses, on August 24, 1945, in Ba Xa (Diem He Chau), The Provincial Party Committee had a meeting and proposed the policy: “At this time, we must quickly liberate the province and establish a revolutionary government”. On the same day, the provincial uprising steering committee was established. Implementing that policy, at dawn on August 25, 1945, the revolutionary armed forces and the people in the surrounding areas divided into two directions and entered the town through Bang Mac and Diem He. Right from the morning, due to advance preparation, the people of the town poured out into the alleys to welcome the revolutionary forces.

At exactly 13:00 on August 25, the armed forces occupied key positions such as Department of Secret Service, Treasury, Post Office, breaking the jail to free cadres and the masses caught by the enemy, besieging the governor’s palace. The puppet governor Linh Quang Vong had to surrender. That same afternoon, the Provincial Party Committee held a meeting in front of the old France cathedral, declaring the abolition of the feudal colonial government; announced 10 policies of Viet Minh; called on the masses to unite to protect the revolutionary government and actively support the provisional government headed by President Ho Chi Minh. After that, the revolutionary masses marched, demonstrating their forces through the streets. An atmosphere of joy filled the town. On the same day, under the direct leadership of Viet Minh Committee, Cao Loc district coordinated with the advance of revolutionary armed forces to reclaim power in Cao Loc, at the same time, directed revolutionary armed forces of the province to support to reclaim power in Loc Binh district.

In Hanoi, on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, he affirmed: “A people who have courageously opposed French domination for more than eighty years, a people who have fought side by side with the Allies against the Fascists during these last years, such a people must be free and independent. Vietnam has the right to be a free and independent country and in fact it is so already. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilize all their physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property in order to safeguard their independence and liberty”. As a Vietnamese, September 2 has an unforgettable meaning!

Right from the beginning of 1945, World War II entered its final stage. The Soviet Red Army continuously won on the battlefields of Europe, liberated a series of countries and entered the fascist stronghold in Berlin. On May 9, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally, the war ended in Europe. On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Red Army stormed into the Japanese army. On August 14, 1945, the Japanese fascist surrendered unconditionally, World War II ended. Facing the situation in our favor, our Party has made decisions to speed up the preparation of the uprising to seize power.