The fourth of January is Myanmar’s Independence Day. Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar declared independence from Britain on this date in 1948. Following three 19th century Anglo-Burmese wars, Burma was colonised by Britain. During World War II, Burma was a major battlefield. The Japanese army advanced on Rangoon, causing the collapse of the British administration. Allied troops eventually defeated the Japanese army in July 1945, and this destabilisation led to the Myanmar Declaration of Independence.