NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY

Every November 10, Indonesians always commemorate Heroes' Day.

 From students to office employees, without exception, they commemorate it in a variety of ways.

 The stipulation of November 10 as Hero's Day was based on Presidential Decree No. 316 of 1959 concerning National Holidays which are not Holidays.

 The presidential decree was signed by President Soekarno. The six historic days did not become a holiday but became a national day. Those days are :

• National Education Day on May 8
• National Awakening Day on May 20
• Armed Day on October 5
• Youth Pledge Day on October 28
• Heroes' Day on November 10
• Mother's Day on December 22

 Although it was only designated as a national day in 1959, the commemoration of the Heroes' Day existed before that year.

 In the ARSIP Magazine 64 / July-December 2014 edition published by the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI), it was recorded that Bung Karno had attended the Heroes’ Day commemoration in Bali in 1958, one year before the establishment of November 10th as Heroes' Day.

 On that occasion, Bung Karno gave a speech before the young people and students who attended the commemoration.

 The archives also state that every November 10th, celebrations or marches take place across major streets in Surabaya, mainly through the Oranje Hotel or the Yamato Hotel.

 Because, that's where the Dutch flag was lowered by Surabayan youths and replaced it with the Red and White flag.

Writer : Michella Eleanor