At some point over 1,000 years into the Buddhist Era, on the first day of 
the full moon in February, two princes from Sathoem named Saamala and 
Wimala founded a city on the Irrawadee Plain called Hongsawadee. This 
location was chosen because of the Buddhist tradition that, about eight 
years after he attained enlightenment, the Lord Buddha had travelled 
there to teach, and saw two hong alight on top of a small hill that 
projected into the sea.

Observing this, he stated that the till, which was only slightly above 
sea level, would become a powerful nation that would be a stronghold of 
his religious teachings. Thus, the Mons believe that the Hongsawadee 
Kingdom was the second Mon realm to flourish in the region, and celebrate 
the first day of the full moon in February as their National Day. 

- THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF MON