Indonesia declared its independence on August 17, 1945. This means that this year has been 78 years since Indonesia’s independence.
Indonesian independence itself did not come suddenly. Independence is obtained from the struggle and sacrifice of the heroes against the invaders. The meaning and meaning of independence is of course very large for the people of Indonesia.
Various important events behind the independence of Indonesia. Starting from the Rengasdengklok Incident to the proclamation text declaration, here is the history:
- Japan’s surrender to the allies
After colonizing Indonesia since 1942, Japan surrendered to Dutch allies on August 15, 1945. News of Japan’s defeat was heard at the same time as preparations for Indonesian independence.
The young people led by Chaerul Saleh then urged Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta to declare Indonesian independence. - The Rengasdengklok incident
The Rengasdengklok incident also became part of the short history of Indonesian independence. At that time, several youths such as Chaerul Saleh, Wikana, and others kidnapped Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta to Rengasdengklok on August 16, 1945.
The kidnapping occurred due to their demands not being approved to immediately proclaim independence. Soekarno et al considered that this decision could cause bloodshed between Japanese powers, which at that time had not been fully taken over by Indonesia.
There, they negotiated until they reached an agreement that the proclamation of independence would be announced the next day. With this agreement, Soekarno and Hatta were brought back to Jakarta. - Formulation of the text of the Proclamation of Independence
With the Rengasdengklok incident, Soekarno and Hatta were finally moved to immediately declare independence. A meeting to formulate the text of the proclamation was held at Admiral Tadashi Maeda’s house on the same date, attended by several members of the youth people.
There, the proclamation text was written by Soekarno and typed by Sayuti Melik with several changes. - Declearating the Proclamation of Independence text
After the proclamation text was written, the most historic day for the Indonesian people occurred. Indonesian independence was marked by the declaration of the proclamation text by Soekarno on August 17, 1945.
The declaration was attended by leaders of the independence movement and all Indonesian people who wanted to witness the result of the struggle of the heroes who brought them to independence.
The ceremony of the declaration went smoothly at Soekarno’s residence at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56, Jakarta.
Several events have been arranged for Indonesia’s independence day, such as the hoisting of the Indonesian flag, and remarks by the mayor at that time, namely Suwiryo and Muwardi.
The news of independence was spread through Hoso Kanri Kyoku or currently known as Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) and Domei (Antara). Apart from that, they also spread the news of independence through the Suara Asia newspaper and also verbally.
After the Proclamation
- Formation of the Undang Undang Dasar (UUD)
On August 18, 1945, the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) held a meeting and ratified the Constitution as the foundation of the Republic of Indonesia, which became known as the Undang Undang Dasar 1945. Thus, the Government of the Unitary State of Indonesia was formed in the form of the Republic (NKRI) with sovereignty in the hands of the people which is carried out voluntarily by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) which will be formed later. - Election of President and Vice President
After a proposal from Mohammad Hatta and approval from PPKI, Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta were elected as the first President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. The President and Vice President will be sworn in by a National Committee.
Thus, the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945 became a historical milestone in the journey of the Indonesian nation towards independence. The text of the Proclamation, which was prepared with care and sincerity by the leaders at that time, became the basic foundation for the formation of the Republic of Indonesia. The proclamation of independence is an important moment that must be appreciated and remembered by every generation of Indonesia as a symbol of struggle and national spirit.
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