In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, the square was named "Lapangan Ikada" (acronym of "Ikatan Atletik Djakarta" or Jakarta Athletic Bond). The proclamation of Indonesian independence was originally intended to be staged at Lapangan Ikada. It was however moved to a house in Jalan Pegangsaan (now Jalan Proklamasi). On 19 September 1945, Sukarno held his Indonesian independence and anti-colonialism/imperialism speech, during "Rapat Akbar" or grand meeting. During Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949), the returning Dutch colonial forces manage to gain control over Jakarta (Batavia) and its vicinity, and renamed most of places to their colonial names; including "Ikada" field changed back to "Koningsplein".