Indonesia Independence Day
World ObservancesLast updated:
What Is Indonesia Independence Day?
August 17 is "Indonesia Independence Day," commemorating the declaration of independence from the Netherlands in 1945. It is Indonesia's most important national holiday.
The Day Southeast Asia's Largest Nation Began Its Journey
After long being under Dutch colonial rule, Indonesia declared independence on August 17, 1945, amid the upheaval following World War II, led by Sukarno and Hatta.
- Declaration date: August 17, 1945
- Declared by: Sukarno (Indonesia's first president) and Mohammad Hatta
- Significance: Marks the founding of Indonesia, home to one of the largest populations in Southeast Asia
- Where: The proclamation was read at Sukarno's house in Jakarta, with Hatta at his side
A Path to Independence Across Thousands of Islands
Indonesia is a multiethnic, multilingual nation made up of thousands of islands. Fighting with the Netherlands continued even after the declaration, but sovereignty was ultimately recognized, and the day is still celebrated today as "Hari Kemerdekaan" (Independence Day).
The Year "05" in the Proclamation
The proclamation is dated not with a Western year but "17 August '05." The "05" refers to the year 2605 in the Japanese imperial calendar, used by Japan, which was then occupying Indonesia -- corresponding to 1945. After the declaration, the Netherlands refused to recognize independence and launched major military operations in 1947 and 1948. After four years of struggle, independence was recognized under the Hague Agreement of 1949. The proclamation document is now kept inside the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta.
How to Spend Today
- Learn about the history of Indonesian independence
- Read about founding leaders like Sukarno and Hatta
- Try Indonesian cuisine and explore its culture
- Compare the independence histories of Southeast Asian nations
Pride in Independence Across Thousands of Islands
Indonesia Independence Day celebrates the historic moment when a vast archipelago of diverse islands and peoples became a single nation. On August 17, take a moment to reflect on the journey of Southeast Asia's largest nation.