The Sam-il (literally ‘3-1’, hence ‘March 1^st’) Movement in Seoul in 1919 was, arguably, the earliest public display of Korean resistance to Japanese colonial rule which itself had begun in 1910 and would last until 1945. The movement arose in response to the oppressive de facto Japanese military rule and was inspired by the "Fourteen Points" proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference in January 1919. Soon after his speech, 33 religious and cultural activists gathered at a restaurant in Seoul to read aloud the Korean Declaration of Independence. This was then publicly read aloud in nearby Pagoda Park at 2pm, with the same public declarations made throughout the country by appointed delegates at the same time. Crowds grew as roughly 1500 nationwide demonstrations were attended by more than two million Koreans over a 12-month period. The Japanese police force and army violently quashed these demonstrations and murdered tens of thousands of Koreans in their pursuit of liberation - some in atrocious ways.

During Shincheonji church’s outdoor ‘Adoration’ event, letters were written and delivered to the families of these freedom fighters who had sacrificed their lives to liberate Korea from such repressive rule. This was followed by a time of silent prayer. Although the movement had failed to achieve national independence, it strengthened national unity, leading to the birth of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai, and attracted global attention. In May 1949, March 1^st was designated a national holiday in both North and South Korea. History should not forget their sacrifice. In the words of one citizen who attended the commemorative event, "we can now live in this country without worry because these freedom fighters fought for us.”

Shincheonji Church of Jesus Daejeon branch 'Adoration’ of Freedom Fighters in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the March First Independence Movement

⇨http://www.shincheonji.kr/bv_shincheonjiIssue_5701