---
title: "Indonesia Declares Independence"
year: 1945
country: "Indonesia"
canonical: "https://recap.at/1945/indonesian-independence"
slug: "indonesian-independence"
recapType: "global_event"
startDate: "1945-08-17"
---

# Indonesia Declares Independence

> Sukarno and Hatta declared Indonesian independence following Japan's surrender, triggering a four-year guerrilla war against the Dutch and establishing the template for postcolonial independence struggles.

## Summary

The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read at 10:00 Tokyo Standard Time on Friday, 17 August 1945 in Jakarta. The declaration marked the start of the diplomatic and armed resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands and pro-Dutch civilians, until the latter officially acknowledged Indonesia's independence in 1949. The document was signed by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, who were appointed president and vice-president respectively the following day.

## Sources

- [Indonesia declared itself independent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proclamation_of_Indonesian_Independence) - Wikipedia

---
Canonical: https://recap.at/1945/indonesian-independence