Held on : 20th May

National Awakening Day, Indonesia or Indonesian National Resurgence Day is observed on 20th May every year. The Indonesian independence movement began in May 1908 and 20th May was the day when it’s first native political party Budi Utomo or also Boedi Oetomo (meaning Prime Philosophy) was formed by the youth of the country.  As an organisation, Boedi Oetomo raised the awareness of unity amongst Indonesian people as a nation towards its independence. National Resurgence Day of Indonesia is observed to recall the efforts of the Freedom Fighters without which Indonesia wouldn’t have attained Freedom. It is also observed to revive and/or resurrect of nationalistic thoughts, feelings, ideals and principles among Indonesians residing not only in the country but in abroad as well. In modern society, the day also stresses the present generation to stand united against corruption, crime, harmful western influences and take steps in making their country stand out in all spheres and feel proud that they are Indonesians.

History of Indonesian National Resurgence Day

National Resurgence Day of Indonesia was an outcome of the Indonesian National Awakening or Kebangkitan Nasional Indonesia. This National movement was a period in the first half of the twentieth century, during which people starting realising a national consciousness as Indonesians. This consciousness was the result of Dutch education which required clerical labour for the growing colonial bureaucracy. The education served another purpose as it also brought western political ideas of freedom and democracy in the mindset of the indigenous Indonesian elite. Aware of their Unique Identity and sense of freedom from slavery of Dutch Colonisers, the elite formed the First Independence seeking party - Budi Utomo on 20th May, 1908. This was the beginning of first official launch of freedom movement which provided further momentum to the independece of the nation.

Gradually, during the 1920s and 30s, this small elite group began to articulate a rising anti-colonialism and a national consciousness. The result was Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI), formed in 1920. Though Budi Utomo was officially dissolved in 1935, but it marked the first nationalist movement of freedom in Indonesia. The notions of independence and self-rule were spread wide and far. It brought Indonesians together on a common platform.

On August 17, 1945, Indonesia declared its independence from Netherlands. But it was met with opposition from Dutch Government in the form of armed conflicts and diplomatic struggles with the local’s from 1945 to 1949. However, rising Insurgency forced the Dutch, to officially recogniz the independence of Indonesia in 1949.

The birth of Budi Utomo on May 20, 1908, was officially commemorated as the Day of National Awakening in Indonesia in 1948. As a mark of honour towards the Indonesian National Awakening, the government dedicated the building related with the birth of Budi Utomo as The Museum of National Awakening in Jakarta, consisting of four different museums but later on, in 7th February, 1984, the four museums were converged into the Museum of National Awakening. 2008 was the year which commemorated 100 years of the National Awakening Day.

Alternate Names - Hari Kebangkitan Nasional, National Resurgence Day of Indonesia.