Google Doodle Celebrates Indonesia Independence Day 2022; History and Significance of the Day

Today’s Google Doodle, represented by Bandung-based guest artist Wastana Haikal, celebrates Indonesia Independence Day. Indonesia officially announced independence on August 17, 1945.

Independence Day is celebrated on August 17. The day when the proclaimers of Indonesian independence Soekarno and Hatta proclaimed the independence of Indonesia from the Dutch and Japanese authorities. Individuals decorate their homes and the streets with red and white ornaments which represent the colors of Indonesian flags. The Indonesians have different ways of celebrating it, both formally and informally.

The Independence Day of Indonesia (In Indonesian formally known as Hari Ulang Tahun Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia shortened “HUT RI”, or essentially Hari Kemerdekaan, and colloquially referred to by individuals as Tujuhbelasan, meaning “the Seventeenth”) is a national holiday in Indonesia commemorating the anniversary of Indonesia’s declaration of independence on 17 August 1945. It was made a national holiday by government decree in 1946.

The Theme Of Indonesia Independence Day 2022

17 August is noticed every year as Indonesia Independence Day. The theme of Indonesia Independence Day 2022 is “Recover Faster, Rise Stronger.”

History Of Indonesia Independence Day

Until 1945, Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands. To drive the Netherlands out of its sphere of influence, during WW II, Japanese leaders upheld the independence movement in Indonesia.

Achmed Sukarno and Muhammad Hatta collaborated with the Japanese military to recover Indonesia from the Dutch government. Sukarno and Hatta feared that their window of opportunity had shut when Japan gave up to the United States in 1945.

Sukarno announced the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945. In Indonesia, the proclamation is known as Proklamasi Kerdekaan Indonesia. In the quick aftermath of the proclamation, Sukarno and Hatta utilized Japanese weapons and equipment to revolt against the Dutch government in Indonesia.

Right away, the Dutch were driven out of Jakarta, yet reinforcements guaranteed that battling would go on until 1949. Because of fear of bloodshed, the United Nations called for diplomatic measures to keep the Netherlands from going to war. The Dutch forces pulled out from East Asia following ten weeks of tedious debates. The United States of Indonesia was established in August 1949.

Indonesia Independence Day Significance

Indonesian Independence Day is a day of pride for every one of the Indonesian as this day helps them to remember serious areas of strength for the assurance shown by the Indonesians against their colonizers and the braveness they have shown in any event, during numerous difficult stretches and inverse circumstances is really excellent.

Furthermore, it likewise fills in as a dedication day for every one of the memorable Indonesians each of the sacrifices made by their ancestors in accomplishing the objective of opportunity, and helps them to remember all the torture and atrocities that were committed against them by their colonizers.

Subsequently, this day in that manner likewise encourages every one of Indonesians to continuously remain together and firm despite the differences as Indonesia is an exceptionally different and large country so it is vital to remain solid and together to keep away from any such thing in the future.

Generally, very much like other Nation days across the world, it is a day of pride and glory for Indonesia and that is the reason every one of the Indonesians meets up on this day to celebrate their nation.

Indonesia National Flag

The national flag of Indonesia is called ‘Sang Saka Merah-Putih’ (the sacred red and white) and was unveiled on 17 August 1945. The design is gotten from the banner of the Majapahit Empire in East Java which ruled the region before the appearance of the Dutch.

The flag comprises two equal horizontal stripes; the top red and the bottom white. The red represents courage and the white is purity.

Fast facts about Indonesia’s Independence and proclamation

Here are fast facts about the Indonesia Independence and proclamation:

1. Before the reading of the Indonesian proclamation of independence, the text that should be perused by Soekarno couldn’t be found. Luckily, it worked out that Sayuti Melik had made another copy. Thus, Soekarno at long last read the copy of the manuscript.
2. Soekarno had malaria symptoms before reading the proclamation text. Just 2 hours away before the reading of the Indonesian proclamation, Soekarno was still fast asleep in his room with a very high body temperature.
3. The original Indonesian flag was produced using a white bed sheet and a red cloth from the Soto roadside stall. Yet, it worked out that Soekarno’s significant other named Fatmawati sewed the first red and white flag utilizing the cloth given by a Japanese commissioned officer.
4. Indonesian independence had been proclaimed in 1945, it required a long investment for both Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta to be crowned as Indonesian national heroes.

Google Doodle on Indonesia Independence Day 2022

On August 17th, 2022, Google featured a Doodle on its homepage for celebrating Indonesia Independence Day 2022.

Indonesians celebrate the day with parades, carnivals, and marching bands. The nation over, the red and white national colors decorate homes and roads in form of flags and ornaments. The national flag hoisting ceremony, attended by Indonesia’s president, is held at the State Palace and starts off the day’s celebrations. Following the broadcasted event, the Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace highlights public figures, national heroes, and veterans in participation.

Boat races (Pacu perahus) — like the one highlighted in today’s Google Doodle artwork — are one of Independence Day’s most famous traditions. The Pacu Jalur Festival hosts the greatest race in the country. After a song and dance performance, more than 100 dynamically decorated boats row down the Batang Kuantan River. Groups of up to sixty individuals dress in traditional dance costumes as spectators accumulate on the riverbanks.

As a maritime country, the Pacu Jalur celebration is one of the numerous traditions that show the significance of teamwork. A message that is lined up with Indonesia’s national motto, Bhinekka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).