The year 26th January was celebrated as Independence Day was 1930. On this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, declared Purna Swaraj, or complete independence, as opposed to the dominion status offered by the British government. The day marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement against British rule in India. While 26th January continued to be celebrated as Independence Day in subsequent years, it later became Republic Day after India adopted its constitution on January 26, 1950.