Cheonan, South Korea, February 29, 2008—South Koreans in traditional dress bear torches on the anniversary of the country's March First Independence Movement.

The celebration commemorates the March 1919 uprising against the Japanese occupation of Korea, which lasted from 1910 to 1945.

Although they did not bring an end to Japanese rule, the 1919 protests led to sweeping reforms and helped spark the Korean independence movement.

• More Photos in the News
• Today's Top 15 Most Popular Stories
• Free Email Newsletter: "Focus on Photography"