Should We Celebrate National Heroes Day?
National Heroes Day is when our heroes fight, risking their lives for our country. Every year on the 10th of November, we reminisce about the heroic battle between allied forces and us Indonesian troops. This battle is a symbol of Indonesia’s resistance and nationalism or more simply is where Indonesia commemorates the deaths of the soldiers in a three-week-long period of bloody battle.
Now, let’s take a look back at where it all began; on 17th August 1945, when the proclamation happened. At that time, Indonesia’s situation was not stable because the citizens and the foreign soldiers were still at war. After the proclamation, on the 1st September 1945, when our Indonesian flag was flown throughout Indonesia and one of them was in Surabaya. Not long after, on 25th September 1945, British soldiers arrived in Surabaya where they worked together with Netherland soldiers. They were called AFNEI (Allied Forces Netherlands East Indies) and NICA (Netherlands Indies Civil Administration). Their mission was to kick Japan back to their country and make Indonesia back to being a Netherland colony.
Being a Netherland colony for hundreds of years is already enough. Can you imagine how miserable Indonesia was? Being a servant to their wealth for 350 years is not a short period of time. So, surely enough Indonesian citizens were furious with the soldiers, especially Surabaya citizens who think that these soldiers insult Indonesian independence and our national flag. Therefore, the citizens started to protest in front of the hotel where the British stayed and asked to put down the Netherland flag to switch with the Indonesia flag.
Because of the protest, each representative from Indonesia and the Netherlands held negotiation meetings and it did not end well. A fight broke out in the negotiation room and some citizens broke into the hotel. This is when Hariyono and Koesno Wibowo ripped the blue part of the Netherland flag so it became Indonesia’s flag.
Long story short, both sides agreed to sign a ceasefire but there were many disagreements causing the leader of the British army to get shot and killed. On top of that, the car was blown up by the militia. As Mallaby’s successor, Mayor General Robert Mansergh threw an ultimatum to all Indonesians that are armed, to give up their weapons at the designated area and for Indonesian citizens to throw a white flag at a certain time that is given. They didn’t know that Indonesian people were hot-headed. After they heard this ridiculous ultimatum, they felt furious and started a war and that’s how the war started on 10th November 1945. This is the first battle that broke out after Indonesia’s independence and one of the most devastating incidents that ever occurred in the country’s history.
In the war, Bung Tomo played an important role in the Battle of Surabaya. He had this famous saying that ignited the spirit of other citizens too: “Merdeka atau Mati!!”. He promoted unity and a fighting spirit among the youth. Every time he made a speech, he always used emotional and powerful words that successfully urged both civilians and soldiers to take actions.
After seeing all the sacrifices for our country, we obviously need to celebrate National Heroes Day. National Heroes Day teaches younger generations to have an attitude and mindset such as honesty, persistence, never giving up, and carrying out obligations and rights. Maybe some of you are confused about where or how to celebrate National Heroes Day. Let’s see an example set by the President of Indonesia, who leads a national visit to the complex of “Taman Makam Pahlawan” in Jakarta and followed by a flower sowing procession and announced the granting of the National Hero title at Istana Negara.
Another example; in Solo, Central Java, National Heroes Day is commemorated in a lively way. The historic steam train Sepur Kluthuk Jala Dara, filled with old and young residents wearing freedom fighters’ costumes, travels around Solo city. It’s not just that; Jalan Slamet Riyadi becomes the center of the celebration by the expansion of a giant red and white flag that measures 4 x 6 meters. The commemoration, which falls on the same day as car-free day, enables the meditation and the flag ceremony to be held in the middle of the main street of Solo city. Even in some places, streets, televisions, radios, and other sources usually aired Indonesians patriotic songs to remember the importance of the battle of Surabaya.
Source:
https://bone.go.id/2020/11/01/sejarah-dan-makna-peringatan-hari-pahlawan-10-november/
http://semarangkota.go.id/p/1932/sejarah_singkat_hari_pahlawan_10_november
https://kemlu.go.id/vatican/en/news/9419/the-commemoration-of-national-heroes-day-2020
https://blog.tiket.com/en/national-heroes-day/
https://www.indonesianpod101.com/blog/2019/09/24/heros-day/
Image Source:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jamal.nationalheroesday&hl=en_AU&gl=US
https://ditsmp.kemdikbud.go.id/mengapa-tanggal-10-november-di-peringati-sebagai-hari-pahlawan/