History and meaning of National Awakening Day May 20

JAKARTA (Antara) – On every May 20, the Indonesian people commemorate this date as a National Awakening Day (Harkitnas), history that marks the beginning of awareness to fight for national independence and unity.

This history holds the story of the struggle, debate, and great ideals that shape the identity of modern Indonesia.

The rise of the nation was born from the aspirations and intellectuals of the nation’s children, which was marked by the events of the existence of Sarekat Islam, Boedi Utomo, and the Youth Pledge Pledge.

However, May 20 as a National Awakening Day is closely related to the pioneers of the National Movement namely the Boedi Utomo organization.

This important event began in the early 20th century, when people from various regions began to realize that they were part of the same nation namely the Indonesian nation, and no longer a separate ethnic group or region.

At that time, the Dutch colonial government system was also very severe and made the people Pribum Suffering from liberal economic and political exploitation.

This condition makes liberals insinuate colonials, such as Eduard Douwes Dekker who wrote a novel titled “Max Havelaar”. The novel contained criticism of the colonial government policy and demanded that the Dutch not close their eyes to the suffering of its colonies.

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Thus, the Dutch government’s reverse policy was born to the people of its colonies called “Ethical Politics”, which contains three main programs including irrigation, education, and transmigration.

The ethical political policy implemented by the Dutch has opened access to education for the natives, but social inequality still occurs. Only certain people can get education.

In the midst of this downturn, the indigenous intellectuals emerged who became the driving force of change.

This period began with the establishment of the Boedi Utomo organization on May 20, 1908 by Dr. Soetomo and STOVIA students in Jakarta, who became the initial milestone of the organized national movement in the country.

Boedi Utomo was born from anxiety about the suffering of the community due to colonialism and the desire to educate the nation through education.

Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, a doctor and alumni of STOVIA from Surakarta, became an important figure in the birth of Boedi Utomo.

He put forward the idea to establish an organization that focuses on improving education and national welfare, through education funds for indigenous students who excel, but are economically disadvantaged.

This idea was later supported by Soetomo and his fellow STOVIA students, who had a high spirit of nationalism.

The main purpose of Boedi Utomo from the beginning was to educate the Indonesian people through the social and cultural fields, without being directly involved in politics.

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This organization focuses on improving education, health, and culture as a means to raise national awareness and improve the condition of indigenous people.

Boedi Utomo also carries the motto “Indie Vooruit” (advanced Indies), which indicates the aspirations of progress for all Dutch East Indies without limiting certain territories or groups.

This organization is an inspiration for the birth of various other more political movement organizations.

A number of other organizations such as Sarekat Islam, Indische Partij, Sarekat Dagang Islam, Muhammadiyah, and Taman Siswa are also inspired to build the nation.

Then, in 1948, in the midst of the Indonesian crisis situation, President Soekarno set May 20 as the National Awakening Day, to coincide on the 40th anniversary of the founding of Boedi Utomo.

This determination aims as a symbol of strengthening the spirit of unity and nationalism in the midst of the struggle to maintain independence from the threat of colonialism.

Then, since December 16, 1959, the National Awakening Day or Harkitnas was officially determined through Presidential Decree Number 316 of 1959 concerning National Day which was not a holiday.

Since then, Harkitnas has been commemorated May 20 every year as a moment to remember the struggle and the beginning of the spirit of national revival.

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The meaning of the National Awakening Day

The National Awakening Day not only remembers the past, but became a reminder of the importance of unity, the spirit of mutual cooperation, and nationalism in facing the challenges of the times.

Since the 1900s, the Indonesian people have proven their ability to rise, unite, drive out invaders, gain independence, access to education, and maintain the integrity of the country in the midst of various crises.

The spirit of this national revival must be inherited from generation to generation, becomes the foundation in building democracy, maintaining sovereignty, and presenting social justice for all Indonesian people.

In fact, in the conditions of the flow of globalization and challenges of the times, the spirit of the National Awakening Day remains relevant as a reminder that the rise of the nation starts from the awareness and unity of all the nation’s children.

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Reporter: Putri Atika Chairulia
Editor: Suryanto
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