RTX1O628
An Indian army soldier performs with fire while performing "Mallakhamb", an ancient Indian sport, during the full-dress rehearsal for India's Independence Day celebrations in Bengaluru, India, Aug. 13, 2015. India marks its Independence Day on Aug. 15. Reuters/Abhishek N. Chinnappa

India celebrates the anniversary of its independence Saturday, marking nearly seven decades since it secured a hard-earned separation from Britain, on Aug. 15, 1947. That date also marks the partitioning of India, dividing the country into India and Pakistan, which later split further into Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Here are photos marking the occasion, from history and in more recent times. This year, the country is ratcheting up its security as Indian nationals prepare to celebrate, in the wake of attacks that have been blamed on militants from the group Lashkar-e-Taiba, from Punjab and Kashmir, regions in the country's north.

“These kind of threats always exist during Independence Day, so we have taken all anti-terror measures to deal with them,” said Mukesh Kumar Meera, the joint commissioner of police, as NewsAsia reported. “Our force is ready to counter any kind of militant attack.”

In 1947, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian flag above the Red Fort in Delhi, the country's capital. The prime minister has done the same every year since. Below, the fort in 2010.

GettyImages-104557940
The Red Fort in Delhi, India, in 2010. The Indian flag flies above. Feng Li/Getty Images

Nehru delivered a famous speech on Indian Independence Day in 1947 at New Delhi's Parliament House.

GettyImages-102243487
Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, delivers his famous "tryst with destiny" speech, Aug. 15, 1947, at Parliament House in New Delhi. STR/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

In 2014, India Prime Minister Narendi Modi delivered a speech from the Red Fort, flush from the victory of his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, in general elections. This year, many wonder what his speech will promise, as proposed economic reforms have lagged and he deals with accusations of corruption in his government.

GettyImages-453630000
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a speech from the Red Fort to mark the country's 68th Independence Day in New Delhi, Aug. 15, 2014. Prakash Singh/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
RTX1O8YV
Students form a map of India on school premises during Independence Day celebrations in Ahmedabad, India, Aug. 14, 2015. Reuters/Amit Dave
RTX1O4UV
A supporter of the Indian cricket team waves the Indian national flag during the second day of the first test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka in Galle, Sri Lanka, Aug. 13, 2015. Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte

Independence Day can be a colorful affair.

GettyImages-453594918
A student waits for the paint on his face to dry on the eve of India's Independence Day in Mumbai, Aug. 14, 2014. Indranil Mukherjee/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Celebrations and performances are held across the country. Various districts and cities hold parades, screen films, and even hold bike rides.

RTX1O5NW
Indian policewomen, representing different religions, perform a stunt on a motorbike during a full-dress rehearsal for India's Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, Aug. 13, 2015. Reuters/Danish Ismail