When a French politician remarked that a monument should be raised in honour of American independence at a dinner party in 1865 he probably didn't imagine that the result would become an international icon of freedom. ...

Participants react as they climb a greased pole to collect vouchers for gifts during a “Panjat Pinang” event organised in celebration of Indonesia's 71st Independence day in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2016. (Photo by Darren Whiteside/Reuters)

A soldier looks at a line during a ceremony to mark Martyrs' Day at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, 30 September 2022. Martyr's Day is celebrated on the eve of National Day of the People's Republic of China to commemorate the people who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of national independence. (Photo by Mark R. Cristino/EPA/EFE)

A woman dressed in Ukrainian national costume poses for a photograph in front destroyed Russian military equipment at Khreshchatyk street in Kyiv on August 20, 2022, that has been turned into an open-air military museum ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP Photo)

People stand in the rain as they wait to enter the Martyrs' Mausoleum during a ceremony for Martyrs' Day in Yangon on July 19, 2020. Myanmar observed the 73rd anniversary of Martyrs' Day on July 19, marking the assassination of independence heroes including Aung San Suu Kyi's father, who helped end British colonial rule. (Photo by Sai Aung Main/AFP Photo)

An Algerian demonstrator wearing face paint in the colours of the national flag takes part in an anti-government demonstration in the capital Algiers on November 1, 2019. Demonstrators converged on Algiers in their thousands for a massive anti-government rally called to coincide with official celebrations of the anniversary of the war that won Algeria's independence from France. (Photo by Ryad Kramdi/AFP Photo)

In this November 3, 2015 file photo, Afghan Taliban fighters listen to Mullah Mohammed Rasool, the newly-elected leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, in Farah province, Afghanistan. Despite US President Donald Trump’s pronouncement that there would be no talks with the Taliban following a series of deadly attacks in Kabul, officials say talks continue, but neither side trusts the other and neither believes the other negotiates independently. (Photo by AP Photo/Stringer)

A protester wears a face shield made of recycled plastic bottles by artist Leeroy New during a anti-terror bill rally at the University of the Philippines as they observe Independence Day on Friday, June 12, 2020, in Metro Manila, Philippines. Hundreds of activists in the Philippine capital staged protests Friday against a proposed anti-terror law they say could be used to quash dissent, ignoring police threats that they could be arrested for violating coronavirus restrictions against large public gatherings. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)