SEATTLE, USA / NEW DELHI, INDIA — August 16, 2025 (IST) | August 15, 2025 (PDT):
In a historic first, India’s national flag was raised atop Seattle’s Space Needle to celebrate the 79th Independence Day. The moment drew cheers from the Indian diaspora and city leaders who gathered to witness the milestone.
The Consul General of India in Seattle joined Mayor Bruce Harrell and senior city officials at the ceremony. The iconic 605-foot tower briefly wore the Tricolour, underscoring the Pacific Northwest’s close cultural and tech ties with India.
According to an official note, the Consulate also hosted a community reception at *Kerry Park, where residents viewed the skyline with the Space Needle in the background. Proclamations in **Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue, and *King County marked August 15 as “India Day.” Several landmarks lit up in saffron, white, and green.
What officials said
- Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle leaders recognized the contributions of Indian Americans to the region’s innovation economy.
- The Consulate said the celebration featured national anthems, cultural performances, and a recital by artist Piyush Mishra.
Why it matters: This is the first time the Space Needle displayed India’s flag, signaling deepening people-to-people ties and the growing presence of Indian talent in the U.S. tech corridor.
Key Highlights
- First-ever hoisting of the Indian Tricolour atop the Space Needle.
- Event attended by the Consul General of India (Seattle) and Mayor Bruce Harrell.
- Community reception at *Kerry Park; city and county *India Day proclamations.
- Multiple Seattle icons illuminated in tricolour.
Source & Verification
Primary details were shared by the Consulate General of India, Seattle, and covered by national media in India.