Independence Day, or Hari Kemerdekaan, commemorates Indonesia's proclamation of independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. On this day, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesia a sovereign nation, marking the birth of the Republic.

When is Independence Day?

Independence Day in Indonesia is celebrated every August 17 every year.

The following is the list of Independence Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Day?

Indonesia's Independence Day marks the nation's liberation from centuries of colonial rule. The journey to independence was long and complex, shaped by resistance, diplomacy, and a strong spirit of nationalism.

During the 17th to early 20th centuries, Indonesia was under Dutch control as part of the Dutch East Indies, with a brief period of British rule in the early 1800s. In 1942, during World War II, Japan occupied Indonesia, ending Dutch dominance but introducing a new form of control. The Japanese occupation, however, played a key role in fostering Indonesian nationalism — it allowed local leaders to organize, train, and plan for self-governance.

As Japan's defeat in the war became imminent in 1945, Indonesian leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta seized the opportunity. On August 17, 1945, Sukarno read the Proclamation of Independence (Proklamasi Kemerdekaan) at his home in Jakarta, declaring Indonesia a free and sovereign nation.

The declaration was just the beginning, it triggered the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949), a four-year struggle against Dutch attempts to reassert control. After diplomatic negotiations and armed conflict, the Netherlands formally recognized Indonesia's independence on December 27, 1949.

Today, August 17 stands as a symbol of Indonesia's unity, resilience and the unyielding spirit of its people in their pursuit of freedom and nationhood.