Korea National Foundation Day [ 개천절 ]

As 3 Oct is approaching, it indicate that another national holiday or also meaning that another public holiday is coming in South Korea. 

National Foundation Day which is also known as Gaecheonjeol [ 개천절 ] or 开天节 means "Festival of the Opening of Heaven". National Foundation Day which is the celebration of the creation of Gojoseon [ 고조선 ]  ( ancient Korea ), the first state of the Korean nation. Gojoseon [ 고조선 ] said to have been founded by Dangun, who is known as the first Korean ancestor in ancient folklore. According to the legend, the god-king ( Dangun ) founded the Choson Kingdom in 2333 B.C and this day fills the citizens with nationalistic pride over Korea's 4000+ years of history.

South Korean wearing masks of Dangun, the legendary founder of Gojoseon ( Credits to www.koggle.tv )

( Credit to cantate-domino.blogspot.com )

( Credits to www.andatelhotel.com )

In 1909, Gaecheonjeol was enacted as a national holiday. The festival is held annually. At first, Gaecheonjeol had been celebrated on the 3rd of the 10th month on the lunar calendar but was changed and celebrated on 3 October of the solar ( Gregorian ) calendar since 1949.

Legend of Gaecheonjeol

Dangun's legend started off with his grandfather Hwanin [ 환인 ] who is also known as the 'Lord of Heaven'. Hwanin's son - Hwanung who desired to live on the earth among the valleys and the mountains. Hwanin allowed Hwanung and 3000 followers to descend onto Baekdu Mountain, where Hwanung created Sinsi [ 신시 ] which also mean City of God. Together with his ministers of clouds, rain and wind, Hwanung instituted laws and moral codes and taught humans various arts, medicine and agriculture.  

A tiger and a bear prayed to Hwanung that they wished to become human. Upon hearing their prayers, Hwanung told them that if they can stay in a cave for 100 days and survived only on mugwort and garlic, they would then become human. However, the tiger became bored and decided to give up after about 20 days. The bear who endured and lasted through the 100 days became a beautiful woman. 

The 'bear-woman' [ 웅녀 ] was thankful and made offerings to Hwanung. The 'bear-woman' soon became sad due to her desire for a family as she prayed under a Sindansu [ 신단수 ] tree to be blessed with a child. Hwanung was touched by her prayers and took her for his wife and soon the 'bear-woman' gave birth to a son call Dandun Wanggeom [ 단군 ] which mean Sandalwood King.

Dangun [ 단군 ] grew up and ascended to the throne. He built his own city at the walled city of Asadal which is situated near Pyongyang ( the current North Korea ) and named the kingdom Joseo ( Morning freshness or Morning calm ) which is also being referred to 'Old/Ancient' today. 

A drawing of Dangun ( Credits to www.san-shin.org )

Every year, a group of people will gather for a memorial service for Dangun at the Chamsungdan ( a stone structure said to be built by Dangun ) which is located on the mountains including Mt Mani ( Kanghwa Island ) and Mt Taebaek ( Gangwon province ) on the 1st day of January of the lunar calendar. 

( Credits to english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto )

( Credits to english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto )

Koreans believe that the legend of Dangun to be more than a mythical story and that the legend could be a trace of the ancient Kingdom founded in the Korean peninsula. Based on the story of Dangun, Korean historians dated and recorded the origin of Korea's history back to about 50 000 years ago. 

For your info : 

North National Foundation Day is also recognized in North Korea, but is not enacted as an public holiday. An annual ceremony is held at the Mausoleum of Tandun on the day of National Foundation Day ( 3 Oct ) in North Korea.