Military-ruled Burma has heightened security in Rangoon for the 60th anniversary of the death of the country's independence hero, General Aung San.
Officials and diplomats gathered today at a mausoleum near the Shwedagon pagoda to honor the general and eight others who were gunned down by political rivals during a Cabinet session in 1947.
Aung San had led the struggle against British colonialism and died a year before Burma formally split from Britain.
His son, U.S. resident Aung San Oo, participated in the Martry's Day ceremony, but his daughter, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was not allowed to join.
The military government has kept Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.