Proclamation of Indonesian Independence — 1945 document declaring Indonesian independence from the Netherlands
Indonesia's proclamation on 17 August 1945 initiated its national revolution and ultimately ended Dutch colonial rule after 1949.
Key Facts
- Date proclaimed
- 17 August 1945, 10:00 Tokyo Standard Time
- Signatories
- Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta
- Colonial power resisted
- Netherlands
- Independence acknowledged by Netherlands
- 1949
- Public holiday decreed
- 18 June 1946
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Decades of Dutch colonial rule over the Indonesian archipelago, combined with the upheaval of Japanese occupation during World War II and Japan's surrender on 15 August 1945, created conditions in which Indonesian nationalist leaders sought to assert independence before Allied or Dutch authority could be reasserted.
At 10:00 Tokyo Standard Time on Friday, 17 August 1945, Sukarno read the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in Jakarta. The brief document, co-signed by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, declared Indonesia a sovereign nation. The following day, both men were formally appointed president and vice-president of the new republic.
The proclamation triggered the Indonesian National Revolution, a four-year armed and diplomatic struggle against Dutch forces and pro-Dutch civilians. The Netherlands formally acknowledged Indonesian independence in 1949. The date was designated a national public holiday by government decree on 18 June 1946 and remains Indonesia's Independence Day.
Political Outcome
Indonesia declared itself an independent republic; after four years of armed and diplomatic conflict, the Netherlands formally recognised Indonesian sovereignty in 1949.
Dutch colonial territory (Netherlands East Indies), occupied by Japan during World War II
Independent Republic of Indonesia under President Sukarno and Vice-President Mohammad Hatta