English: Participants in the Afghanistan Independence Day celebration held at the Ministry of National Defense in Kabul, Aug. 19, pay their respects during the playing of the Afghan national anthem. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of NATO and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker attended the ceremony. During the celebration, President Karzai placed a floral wreath at the base of the marble independence memorial near his palace. Afghan Independence Day is celebrated in Afghanistan on Aug. 19 to commemorate the Treaty of Rawalpindi in 1919. The treaty granted independence from Britain; although Afghanistan was never officially a part of the British Empire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael O'Connor) (Released)