The March First Movement was a significant event in Korean history that took place on March 1, 1919. It was a peaceful protest against Japanese colonial rule in Korea, which had begun in 1910. The movement was inspired by the global wave of nationalism and the principles of self-determination following World War I. Thousands of Koreans gathered to declare their independence, reading the Declaration of Independence and calling for freedom. The Japanese authorities responded with violent repression, leading to thousands of arrests and deaths. Despite the harsh crackdown, the movement sparked a national awakening and laid the groundwork for future resistance against colonial rule, ultimately contributing to Korea's eventual independence in 1945.