20th century Year Date Event 1901 Ethical Policy is proclaimed. 1903 Aceh declared conquered. 1904 Van Heutz becomes Governor General. Kartini established a school for women in Rembang, just like Dewi Sartika, she was considered as the pioneer of women's rights in Indonesia. 16 January Dewi Sartika established the first school for women in Dutch East Indies in Bandung, she was considered as the pioneer of women's rights in Indonesia. 1906 The Dutch intervention in Bali (1906) destroyed the southern Bali kingdom of Badung and Tabanan. 1907 Tirto Adhi Suryo founds civil servants' association Sarekat Priyayi. 1908 Budi Utomo is proclaimed as the first official nationalist movement. During Dutch intervention in Bali (1908), the last Balinese rulers wiped out in puputan ('suicidal battle to death'). 1911 Tirto Adhi Suryo founds the Islamic Traders' League. 1912 Islamic League (Sarekat Islam) becomes the first mass-based nationalist party. First scientific description ever of Komodo dragon by Peter Ouwens. 18 November The modernist Islamic organization Muhammadiyah was established by Ahmad Dahlan in Yogyakarta. 1914 World War I breaks out; the Netherlands is a neutral country in the war. 1917 East Indies trade with Europe cut off by the war. Russian Revolution 1918 Tirto Adhi Suryo dies. 1919 May Mt Kelud in East Java erupts with a deathtoll of around 5,000 people. 1920 Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) is founded. Economic downturn. 1925 Birth of Pramoedya Ananta Toer. A sharp rise in world commodity prices brings prosperity to the Indies. 1926 31 January Nahdlatul Ulama was established by Hasyim Asy'ari as the reaction to the modernist Muhammadiyah organization. 1929 The Great Depression in America affected the economy of Dutch East Indies. 1930 Sukarno's famous nationalist speech, 'Indonesia Accuses', given as defence in his political trial.Vickers (2005), page xiii 1941 8 December Netherlands declares war on Japan. 1941 8 December Dutch East Indies campaign (8 December 1941 – 9 March 1942) by forces from the Empire of Japan starts.1942 27 February Battle of the Java Sea, Imperial Japanese Navy defeat Allied forces ABDACOM afterwards Imperial Japan occupies Indonesia during World War II, over throwing the Dutch East Indies and install their own imperial structure. 28 February The Japanese troops invade Java. 7 March Dutch East Indies government in exile established in Australia by Dutch officials headed by Lieutenant Governor General Huib van Mook 8 March Royal Netherlands East Indies Army on Java capitulates. At 09:00 on 8 March, the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces—Ter Poorten—announced the surrender of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in Java. Instrument of surrender signed in Bandung on 12 March 31 December Merauke Force formed, to reinforce the KNIL garrison in Merauke, West New Guinea.1944 22 April Start of the liberation of the Dutch East Indies by Allied forces April First Dutch NICA detachments land at Hollandia in New Guinea. 16 May Van Mook-MacArthur Civil Affairs Agreement signed in London concerning the jurisdiction over and administration of civil affairs in Dutch East Indies territory liberated by an Allied expeditionary force during WWII. 1 June 1st Infantry Battalion (KNIL) founded at Camp Victory, near Casino, New South Wales. Australia. 1945 9 Januari Between Januari and July landing of Dutch KNIL troops at Biak, Tarakan and Balikpapan. 1 June Sukarno's Pancasila speechSaafroedin et al. (1992) 16 July Draft of constitution for the Republic completed. August Republican government established in Jakarta and constitution adopted. Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) established. 15 August Japanese surrender to Allied powers. 17 August "Proclamation of Indonesian Independence," signed by Sukarno-Hatta.Proklamasi: URL August Start of the Bersiap killings during the early stages of the Indonesian National Revolution. 3 November Vice President Hatta proclaims right of the people to form political parties. 10 November Battle of Surabaya. 1946 Social revolutions, including the Three Regions (Tiga Daerah) Revolt. Federal states, including the State of East Indonesia are set up by Dutch in the outer islands. 1947 25 March Linggadjati Agreement, first ceasefire. 20 July Major Dutch military offensive to resolve differences by force. 1948 Darul Islam rebellions begin in West Java, spread to other provinces but conclude with the execution of its leader Kartosoewiryo. (to 1962) 19 January The Renville Agreement establishes the Van Mook line between Republican and Dutch held territories. August Fall of the Amir Syarifuddin government, largely from the Renville Agreement fallout. 18 September Madiun Affair: Nationalist leaders launch a revolt in Central Java in an attempt to take over the Revolution but are suppressed by Communist troops. 19 December Dutch undertake second military offensive capturing Republican capital at Yogyakarta and most of the Republican cabinet. Amir Syarifuddin executed by fleeing Republicans. 1949 February Tan Malaka executed by Republican Army. 1 August Official ceasefire. December International pressure leads Netherlands Government to transfer power to the United States of Indonesia (RUSI) at the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference. 1950 Military articulation of doctrines Dwifungsi and Hankamrata: a military role in sociopolitical development as well as security; a requirement that the resources of the people be at the call of the armed forces. (to 1960) 29 January General Sudirman, commander of Indonesia's armed forces, dies aged 34 25 April The Republic of South Moluccas (RMS) is proclaimed in Ambon 17 August Following RUSI endorsement of a new constitution, the federation is dissolved and Sukarno proclaims a unitary state, the 'Republic of Indonesia'. 6 September The first cabinet of the unitary state is established. It is led by Prime Minister Mohammad Natsir.Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia (1975a) 27 September Indonesia becomes the 60th member of the United Nations. 1951 1 Januari Start of the Dutch Military Mission for Indonesia 1951 21 March The Natsir cabinet fallsFeith (2002) 26 April The composition of the new cabinet is announced. The new Prime Minister is Dr. Sukiman Wirjosanjojo. 1952 25 February Amid bitter disputes over the signing of a Mutual Security Agreement with the US, the Sukiman cabinet resigns. 3 April The new cabinet, led by Prime Minister Wilopo is inaugurated. 17 October Army-organized demonstrations take place in Jakarta to demand the dissolution of the legislature. Tank guns and machine guns are trained on the presidential palace. This leads to the suspension of General Nasution as army chief of staff following army indiscipline over command and support that threatens the government.Friend (2003), page 528 1953 2 June The Wilopo cabinet resigns. 31 July After lengthy negotiations, the composition of the new cabinet is announced. Serving his first term as prime minister is Ali Sastroamidjojo. 1955 March Regional rebellions in Sumatra and Sulawesi. (to August 1961) 24 March The second cabinet to be led by Muhammed Ali takes office. 18 April The city of Bandung hosts the Asia-Africa Conference. It is the first meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement and is attended by world leaders including China's Zhou Enlai, India's Nehru, Egypt's Nasser and Yugoslavia's Tito.Friend (2003), page 529 (to 25 April) 24 July After a dispute with the Army over appointments, the cabinet resigns. 12 August Led by Prime Minister Burhanuddin Harahap, the new cabinet is sworn in. 29 September Indonesia holds general parliamentary elections; the last free national elections until 1999; support for the parties is widely distributed with four parties each gaining 16–22 per cent and the remaining votes split between 24 parties. 15 December Elections are held for the Constitutional Assembly 1956 3 March The cabinet falls as a result of its policy toward the Dutch. 3 May Indonesia unilaterally abrogates the Round Table Agreement signed with the Dutch in 1949. 1 December Hatta resigns as vice-president. 1957 21 February President Sukarno announces his "Conception" (Konsepsi) of the nature of Indonesia. This will eventually lead to Guided Democracy March Regional rebellions in Sumatra and Sulawesi. (to August 1961) 14 March Martial law is proclaimed. On the same day, the cabinet resigns. 9 April Sukarno appoints a "Working Cabinet" with Djuanda as prime minister. 30 November An attempt is made to assassinate President Sukarno. Grenades are thrown at him as he visits a school in Cikini, Jakarta. 1958 18 May US Air Force pilot Allen Pope is shot down over Ambon, revealing covert American support of regional rebellions, and ends the Dulles brothers', Allen and John, failure to subvert the Sukarno government. 1959 5 July With armed forces support, Sukarno issues a decree dissolving the Constituent Assembly and reintroducing the Constitution of 1945 with strong presidential powers, and assumes the additional role of Prime Minister, which completes the structure of 'Guided Democracy'. 10 July President Sukarno appoints a "Working Cabinet" with himself as prime minister.Simanjuntak(2003) 1960 18 February President Sukarno reshuffles the cabinet and appoints the second "Working Cabinet". 9 March Second Lieutenant Daniel Alexander Maukar of the Indonesian Air Force uses a MiG-17 fighter to strafe the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, oil tanks at Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta and then the Bogor Palace."Last Tiger Out" Jan Doward, Pacific Press Pub. 24 June The House of Representatives-Mutual cooperation (DPR-GR), composed of members chosen by President Sukarno is established. 17 August Indonesia severs diplomatic links with the Netherlands in protest over its refusal to hand over Netherlands New Guinea. 30 September President Sukarno addresses the United Nations General Assembly. 1961 4 March An agreement is signed in Jakarta with the Soviet Union to buy arms with long term loans. 17 August Building officially starts on the Monas National Monument in the center of Jakarta. 1962 2 January The Mandala Command to "free" Western (Netherlands) New Guinea from the Dutch is established. Its commander is Brigadier General Suharto. 15 January Deputy chief of staff of the Indonesian Navy Commodore Yos Sudarso is killed in a Dutch air attack on the motor torpedo boat (MTB) force he is commanding. 8 March President Sukarno again reshuffles his cabinet. 15 August The New York Agreement, transferring Western New Guinea to Indonesia, is signed at the United Nations. 24 August Jakarta hosts the Fourth Asian Games. (to 4 September) 1963 Sole years of American Peace Corps program in Indonesia. Sukarno leads the Konfrontasi campaign against the newly created Malaysia. (to 1965) 1 May Following pressure from the United Nations and the American government of President John F. Kennedy, the Netherlands yields Western New Guinea to temporary UN supervision. 18 May Parliament elects Sukarno 'President-for-life'. 27 July Sukarno declares Indonesian policy to oppose the creation of Malaysia which incorporate North Borneo, marking the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. 18 September Following demonstrations in Jakarta to protest at the creation of Malaysia, the British Embassy is burned by a mob. 13 November President Sukarno conducts the final reshuffle of the "Working Cabinet". 1964 17 August During his Independence Day speech, Sukarno for the first time publicly denounce the United States, and over the following months an anti-American campaign attacked American interests. 27 August President Sukarno appoints the Dwikora Cabinet 1965 7 January Indonesia withdraws from membership of the UN.Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia (1975b) 14 January The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) calls for workers and peasants to be armed. 11 April The Third Session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly is held in Bandung. (to 16 April) 26 May Foreign Minister Subandrio reports to President Sukarno the existence of the Gilchrist Document, a letter purporting to be from the British ambassador which discusses western military involvement in Indonesia. 30 September An abortive coup in Jakarta results in the murder of six army generals, and disposal of bodies at Lubang Buaya. October A violent anti-communist purge leads to the killing of approximately 1/2 million Indonesians. (to March 1966) 1 October A counter-coup led by General Suharto that leads to the Overthrow of Sukarno 14 October President Sukarno appoints Major General Suharto Minister/Commander of the Army. 16 October The Jakarta Military Command temporarily suspends the activities of the PKI and its organizations in the Jakarta region. 13 December The rupiah is devalued by a factor of 1,000 in an effort to control inflation. 1966 10 January Anti-communist organizations grouped under the Pancasila Front issue the "Three Demands of the People" (Tritura), namely the dissolution of the PKI, the cleansing of the cabinet of elements involved in 30 September Movement, and lower prices and economic improvements. 14 February The Extraordinary Military Court trials of people allegedly involved in 30 September Movement begin. 24 February President Sukarno reshuffles his cabinet, creating what becomes known as the "cabinet of 100 ministers". 11 March Sukarno delegates key presidential powers to Suharto by signing the Supersemar. The following day Suharto dissolves the Indonesian Communist Party.Vickers (2005), page xiv 18 March A total of 14 cabinet ministers are taken into "protective custody". 2 May Following large scale demonstrations, the leadership of the Mutual-Assistance House of Representatives (DPR-GR) is replaced. 20 June The Fourth Session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly is held in Jakarta. It raises the status of the Supersemar into a decree, meaning Sukarno cannot revoke it, bans the PKI and its teachings and rejects President Sukarno's accountability speech. (to 5 July) 11 August Indonesia and Malaysia agree to normalize diplomatic relations. 28 September Indonesia rejoins the United Nations. 1967 10 January New investment laws designed to bring in foreign capital are passed; restrictions are introduced regarding status of Indonesian Chinese, their names and their religions. 22 February In a ceremony at the presidential palace, Sukarno hands over authority to Suharto. 7 March A Special Session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly strips Sukarno of his powers and appoints Suharto acting president. (to 12 March) 8 August ASEAN established in Bangkok by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.Bangkok Declaration. Wikisource. Retrieved 14 March 2007. 1 October Diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China are suspended. 1968 Soedjatmoko is Indonesian ambassador to the United States; bilateral relations warm. (to 1971) March Parliament confers full presidential title on Suharto; Sukarno is under effective house arrest. 1969 Papuan representatives agree to join Indonesia in the Act of Free Choice. 1970 Nurcholish Madjid, a young Muslim modernist, begins to lay out religious developmental principles for Indonesia—'Islam, yes; Islamic party, no'. 21 June Sukarno dies. He is buried at Blitar, East Java. 1971 Suharto's wife inspired by a visit to Disneyland, conceives a national cultural theme park.Friend (2003), page 530 3 July Indonesia's second parliamentary election and the first under the New Order is held. Golkar wins an outright majority. 1973 Government forces fusion of political parties; Nationalist and Christian parties are merged into the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and Muslim parties into the United Development Party (PPP). The new three party system is dominated by Golkar. 1974 The 'Malari' uprising in Jakarta against Japanese penetration of the economy, Chinese Indonesian influence, and official corruption. 1975 April Mrs Suharto dedicates the vast 'Beautiful Indonesia-in-Miniature Park' (Taman Mini) on the outskirts of Jakarta. April Civil war breaks out in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor. 6 December U.S. President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Kissinger, returning from China, make a hastily rescheduled one-day visit to Jakarta. 7 December Indonesia launches an invasion of East Timor. 1976 March General Ibnu Sutowo is 'dismissed with honour' after a decade as head of Pertamina, the state oil corporation. 8 July Palapa A1, Indonesia's first communication satellite launched from Cape Canaveral.Telecommunications Systems 17 July Suharto signs a bill integrating East Timor into Indonesia as its 27th province. 19 November UN General Assembly rejects Indonesia's annexation of East Timor. 1977 The United States surpasses Japan as Indonesia's biggest oil customer. October Sawito Kartowibowo's trial for 'subversion' begins. 1978 The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) elevates Pancasila to the status of compulsory moral education of youth and government officials. Suharto appoints B.J. Habibie as state minister for research and technology. 22 February Suharto inaugurated Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, the Indonesian national mosque.Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), 40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3 (40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3), p1035, 1979 21 September Jakarta host the 10th SEA Games, it was the first time Indonesia host Southeast Asian Games. (to 30 September) December Writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer is released after fourteen years imprisonment with hard labour on Buru Island. 1980 May The Petition of Fifty—a statement of concern to parliament about the use of government power, propaganda, and presidential personality cult—is begun. 1982 The height of Petrus ('mysterious shootings') of thousands of suspected criminals by government security forces. (to 1983) 1983 Prabowo Subianto, then a major in ABRI marries Suharto's daughter Titiek at Taman Mini. 1984 12 September Muslim concerned protesting over alleged insensitivities to Islam at Tanjung Priok; a riot ensues resulting in many deaths. Clamp down on Islamic political leaders. December Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) is elected chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama a position previously held by both his father and grandfather. 1985 The Indonesian government require all organisations of any kind to adopt Pancasila as their sole basis. 1987 Sukarno's daughter Megawati Sukarnoputri becomes a member of parliament; Suharto prohibits display of images of Sukarno although they appear frequently nonetheless.Friend (2003), page 531 9 September Jakarta host the 14th SEA Games. (to 20 September) 1988 Suharto is elected to a fifth term as president., Lilies Handayani, Nurfitriyana Saiman and Kusuma Wardhani won Indonesia's first medal in Olympic Games, a silver medal for women's team archery in 1988 Summer Olympics Seoul. 1989 The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) reemerges following its 1976 founding; suppression of its guerilla activities leads to 2,000 deaths by 1991 in Aceh. 1991 Indonesia wins presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement. 12 November ABRI troops fire on demonstrative funeral procession in Dili, East Timor. TV images of the killings put East Timor high on the international human rights agenda. 1992 Suharto successfully defies Dutch efforts to link human rights to aid administered since 1967 by the International Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI). Susi Susanti won Indonesia's first Olympic gold medal in 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.History of Badminton East Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmão is captured by Brigadier General Theo Syafei and is tried and sentenced. (to 1993) 1993 Suharto seeks a sixth term and is easily re-elected. 1994 June Suharto shuts down Tempo and two other publications for critical reporting of Habibie's purchase of the former East German navy. 1996 The Free Papua Movement (OPM) kidnaps fourteen scientists and foresters in Iran Jaya garnering international attention. After four months, the abductees are rescued in a bloody operation led by Prabowo. April Ibu Tien Suharto, the president's wife of 48 years, dies of a heart attack. July Military-backed thugs burst into headquarters of PDI, Megawati's party, and evict her supporters in a violent climax to government efforts to vitiate her party's popularity. 1997 Severe social unrest breaks out across Indonesian cities against Chinese Indonesians, Christians, symbols of wealth, the police and bureaucracy. (to 1998) February Alarmed at a dukun's prediction that 'the nail of Java has come loose', Suharto commands a massive Ruwat Dunia ceremony ('Cleansing of the world') near Borobudur. June Pacific Ocean trade winds shift heralding the onset of the El Niño; severe drought across much of Indonesia follows in the ensuing months accompanied by highly destructive forest fires. July The collapse of the Thai baht starts the East Asian financial crisis and over the ensuing months Indonesia is the country hardest hit. 11 October Jakarta host the 19th SEA Games. (to 19 October) 1998 March Largely peaceful student demonstrations against the regime rise to national prominence. 11 March Suharto unanimously elected by the MPR to his seventh presidential term.Friend (2003), page 532 12 May Four student demonstrators at Trisakti University are shot dead by bullets unproven but thought likely to have been from army sources. 13 May Memorial services for killed students leads to riots; vandalism, arson, looting and rape by roving mobs which continue unchecked by security forces for two days leaving 1,200 dead. 20 May For National Awakening Day, Amien Rais pledges to bring a million protestors into the streets to demonstrate against at the National Monument in Jakarta. Faced with barbed wire and massed troops he calls off the rally fearing bloodshed. 21 May After being deserted by his cabinet, Suharto resigns the presidency. Habibie assumes presidency. August General Wiranto announces the discharge of Lieutenant General Prabowo from active duty, with full pension benefits—and without court-martial for allegations of abduction and torture of student activist (some of whom remain missing as of 2003). 10 November Megawati, Rais, and the sultan of Yogya, meet at Wahid's home in Ciganjur, and issue a series of statements including a demand for the military to end their role in politics within six years. 13 November On the last day of the MPR sessions, soldiers open fire on demonstrating students killing at least fifteen and injuring hundreds. 1999 19 January A petty argument between in the city of Ambon triggers Christian-Muslim clashes that last for three years across Maluku. As many as 10,000 are killed and 700,000 or one third of the region are displaced. 7 June Indonesia's first free and fair national elections since 1955 take place with almost no disruption and wide participation. Votes however are distributed across forty-eight parties with no party achieving a majority. September East Timor votes to secede from Indonesia in a referendum conducted under UN auspices. Four-fifths of voters choose independence for East Timor over integration with Indonesia. Pro-integration militias trained and paid by ABRI immediately resort to a scorched earth policy that leaves 1,000 dead and most of the territory's infrastructure ruined. 13 September President Habibie relents to international pressure and allows a UN peacekeeping force known as 'INTERFET' to enter East Timor and restore order. October The Indonesian parliament rejects President Habibie's accountability speech. Wahid whose party received one eighth of the popular vote is elected president by the MPR. Megawati whose party received one third of the vote (the highest) is elected vice president.Friend (2003), page 533 2000 President Wahid's administration is marred by failures to stabilise the economy, patterns of political favouritism, economic corruption (although Wahid himself is not accused of corruption), inability to reform the military, personal eccentricity and pettiness, ineffectiveness in dealing with major religious violence in Maluku and Sulawesi, major ethnic violence (Dayaks vs. Madurese) in Kalimantan, and separatisms in Aceh and Irian Jaya. 24 December In a coordinated attack involving more than three dozen sites across the country, churches are bombed and eighteen people killed. It is later proven to have been planned by Jemaah Islamiyah in retaliation for Christian killings of Muslims in the Maluku conflict.
20th century Year Date Event 1901 Ethical Policy is proclaimed. 1903 Aceh declared conquered. 1904 Van Heutz becomes Governor General. Kartini established a school for women in Rembang, just like Dewi Sartika, she was considered as the pioneer of women's rights in Indonesia. 16 January Dewi Sartika established the first school for women in Dutch East Indies in Bandung, she was considered as the pioneer of women's rights in Indonesia. 1906 The Dutch intervention in Bali (1906) destroyed the southern Bali kingdom of Badung and Tabanan. 1907 Tirto Adhi Suryo founds civil servants' association Sarekat Priyayi. 1908 Budi Utomo is proclaimed as the first official nationalist movement. During Dutch intervention in Bali (1908), the last Balinese rulers wiped out in puputan ('suicidal battle to death'). 1911 Tirto Adhi Suryo founds the Islamic Traders' League. 1912 Islamic League (Sarekat Islam) becomes the first mass-based nationalist party. First scientific description ever of Komodo dragon by Peter Ouwens. 18 November The modernist Islamic organization Muhammadiyah was established by Ahmad Dahlan in Yogyakarta. 1914 World War I breaks out; the Netherlands is a neutral country in the war. 1917 East Indies trade with Europe cut off by the war. Russian Revolution 1918 Tirto Adhi Suryo dies. 1919 May Mt Kelud in East Java erupts with a deathtoll of around 5,000 people. 1920 Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) is founded. Economic downturn. 1925 Birth of Pramoedya Ananta Toer. A sharp rise in world commodity prices brings prosperity to the Indies. 1926 31 January Nahdlatul Ulama was established by Hasyim Asy'ari as the reaction to the modernist Muhammadiyah organization. 1929 The Great Depression in America affected the economy of Dutch East Indies. 1930 Sukarno's famous nationalist speech, 'Indonesia Accuses', given as defence in his political trial.Vickers (2005), page xiii 1941 8 December Netherlands declares war on Japan. 1941 8 December Dutch East Indies campaign (8 December 1941 – 9 March 1942) by forces from the Empire of Japan starts.1942 27 February Battle of the Java Sea, Imperial Japanese Navy defeat Allied forces ABDACOM afterwards Imperial Japan occupies Indonesia during World War II, over throwing the Dutch East Indies and install their own imperial structure. 28 February The Japanese troops invade Java. 7 March Dutch East Indies government in exile established in Australia by Dutch officials headed by Lieutenant Governor General Huib van Mook 8 March Royal Netherlands East Indies Army on Java capitulates. At 09:00 on 8 March, the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces—Ter Poorten—announced the surrender of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in Java. Instrument of surrender signed in Bandung on 12 March 31 December Merauke Force formed, to reinforce the KNIL garrison in Merauke, West New Guinea.1944 22 April Start of the liberation of the Dutch East Indies by Allied forces April First Dutch NICA detachments land at Hollandia in New Guinea. 16 May Van Mook-MacArthur Civil Affairs Agreement signed in London concerning the jurisdiction over and administration of civil affairs in Dutch East Indies territory liberated by an Allied expeditionary force during WWII. 1 June 1st Infantry Battalion (KNIL) founded at Camp Victory, near Casino, New South Wales. Australia. 1945 9 Januari Between Januari and July landing of Dutch KNIL troops at Biak, Tarakan and Balikpapan. 1 June Sukarno's Pancasila speechSaafroedin et al. (1992) 16 July Draft of constitution for the Republic completed. August Republican government established in Jakarta and constitution adopted. Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) established. 15 August Japanese surrender to Allied powers. 17 August "Proclamation of Indonesian Independence," signed by Sukarno-Hatta.Proklamasi: URL August Start of the Bersiap killings during the early stages of the Indonesian National Revolution. 3 November Vice President Hatta proclaims right of the people to form political parties. 10 November Battle of Surabaya. 1946 Social revolutions, including the Three Regions (Tiga Daerah) Revolt. Federal states, including the State of East Indonesia are set up by Dutch in the outer islands. 1947 25 March Linggadjati Agreement, first ceasefire. 20 July Major Dutch military offensive to resolve differences by force. 1948 Darul Islam rebellions begin in West Java, spread to other provinces but conclude with the execution of its leader Kartosoewiryo. (to 1962) 19 January The Renville Agreement establishes the Van Mook line between Republican and Dutch held territories. August Fall of the Amir Syarifuddin government, largely from the Renville Agreement fallout. 18 September Madiun Affair: Nationalist leaders launch a revolt in Central Java in an attempt to take over the Revolution but are suppressed by Communist troops. 19 December Dutch undertake second military offensive capturing Republican capital at Yogyakarta and most of the Republican cabinet. Amir Syarifuddin executed by fleeing Republicans. 1949 February Tan Malaka executed by Republican Army. 1 August Official ceasefire. December Netherlands Government transferres sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia (RUSI) at the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference. 1950 Military articulation of doctrines Dwifungsi and Hankamrata: a military role in sociopolitical development as well as security; a requirement that the resources of the people be at the call of the armed forces. (to 1960) 29 January General Sudirman, commander of Indonesia's armed forces, dies aged 34 25 April The Republic of South Moluccas (RMS) is proclaimed in Ambon 17 August Following RUSI endorsement of a new constitution, the federation is dissolved and Sukarno proclaims a unitary state, the 'Republic of Indonesia'. 6 September The first cabinet of the unitary state is established. It is led by Prime Minister Mohammad Natsir.Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia (1975a) 27 September Indonesia becomes the 60th member of the United Nations. 1951 1 Januari Start of the Dutch Military Mission for Indonesia 21 March The Natsir cabinet fallsFeith (2002) 26 April The composition of the new cabinet is announced. The new Prime Minister is Dr. Sukiman Wirjosanjojo. 1952 25 February Amid bitter disputes over the signing of a Mutual Security Agreement with the US, the Sukiman cabinet resigns. 3 April The new cabinet, led by Prime Minister Wilopo is inaugurated. 17 October Army-organized demonstrations take place in Jakarta to demand the dissolution of the legislature. Tank guns and machine guns are trained on the presidential palace. This leads to the suspension of General Nasution as army chief of staff following army indiscipline over command and support that threatens the government.Friend (2003), page 528 1953 2 June The Wilopo cabinet resigns. 31 July After lengthy negotiations, the composition of the new cabinet is announced. Serving his first term as prime minister is Ali Sastroamidjojo. 1955 March Regional rebellions in Sumatra and Sulawesi. (to August 1961) 24 March The second cabinet to be led by Muhammed Ali takes office. 18 April The city of Bandung hosts the Asia-Africa Conference. It is the first meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement and is attended by world leaders including China's Zhou Enlai, India's Nehru, Egypt's Nasser and Yugoslavia's Tito.Friend (2003), page 529 (to 25 April) 24 July After a dispute with the Army over appointments, the cabinet resigns. 12 August Led by Prime Minister Burhanuddin Harahap, the new cabinet is sworn in. 29 September Indonesia holds general parliamentary elections; the last free national elections until 1999; support for the parties is widely distributed with four parties each gaining 16–22 per cent and the remaining votes split between 24 parties. 15 December Elections are held for the Constitutional Assembly 1956 3 March The cabinet falls as a result of its policy toward the Dutch. 3 May Indonesia unilaterally abrogates the Round Table Agreement signed with the Dutch in 1949. 1 December Hatta resigns as vice-president. 1957 21 February President Sukarno announces his "Conception" (Konsepsi) of the nature of Indonesia. This will eventually lead to Guided Democracy March Regional rebellions in Sumatra and Sulawesi. (to August 1961) 14 March Martial law is proclaimed. On the same day, the cabinet resigns. 9 April Sukarno appoints a "Working Cabinet" with Djuanda as prime minister. 30 November An attempt is made to assassinate President Sukarno. Grenades are thrown at him as he visits a school in Cikini, Jakarta. 1958 18 May US Air Force pilot Allen Pope is shot down over Ambon, revealing covert American support of regional rebellions, and ends the Dulles brothers', Allen and John, failure to subvert the Sukarno government. 1959 5 July With armed forces support, Sukarno issues a decree dissolving the Constituent Assembly and reintroducing the Constitution of 1945 with strong presidential powers, and assumes the additional role of Prime Minister, which completes the structure of 'Guided Democracy'. 10 July President Sukarno appoints a "Working Cabinet" with himself as prime minister.Simanjuntak(2003) 1960 18 February President Sukarno reshuffles the cabinet and appoints the second "Working Cabinet". 9 March Second Lieutenant Daniel Alexander Maukar of the Indonesian Air Force uses a MiG-17 fighter to strafe the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, oil tanks at Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta and then the Bogor Palace."Last Tiger Out" Jan Doward, Pacific Press Pub. 24 June The House of Representatives-Mutual cooperation (DPR-GR), composed of members chosen by President Sukarno is established. 17 August Indonesia severs diplomatic links with the Netherlands in protest over its refusal to hand over Netherlands New Guinea. 30 September President Sukarno addresses the United Nations General Assembly. 1961 4 March An agreement is signed in Jakarta with the Soviet Union to buy arms with long term loans. 17 August Building officially starts on the Monas National Monument in the center of Jakarta. 1962 2 January The Mandala Command to "free" Western (Netherlands) New Guinea from the Dutch is established. Its commander is Brigadier General Suharto. 15 January Deputy chief of staff of the Indonesian Navy Commodore Yos Sudarso is killed in a Dutch air attack on the motor torpedo boat (MTB) force he is commanding. 8 March President Sukarno again reshuffles his cabinet. 15 August The New York Agreement, transferring Western New Guinea to Indonesia, is signed at the United Nations. 24 August Jakarta hosts the Fourth Asian Games. (to 4 September) 1963 Sole years of American Peace Corps program in Indonesia. Sukarno leads the Konfrontasi campaign against the newly created Malaysia. (to 1965) 1 May Following pressure from the United Nations and the American government of President John F. Kennedy, the Netherlands yields Western New Guinea to temporary UN supervision. 18 May Parliament elects Sukarno 'President-for-life'. 27 July Sukarno declares Indonesian policy to oppose the creation of Malaysia which incorporate North Borneo, marking the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. 18 September Following demonstrations in Jakarta to protest at the creation of Malaysia, the British Embassy is burned by a mob. 13 November President Sukarno conducts the final reshuffle of the "Working Cabinet". 1964 17 August During his Independence Day speech, Sukarno for the first time publicly denounce the United States, and over the following months an anti-American campaign attacked American interests. 27 August President Sukarno appoints the Dwikora Cabinet 1965 7 January Indonesia withdraws from membership of the UN.Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia (1975b) 14 January The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) calls for workers and peasants to be armed. 11 April The Third Session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly is held in Bandung. (to 16 April) 26 May Foreign Minister Subandrio reports to President Sukarno the existence of the Gilchrist Document, a letter purporting to be from the British ambassador which discusses western military involvement in Indonesia. 30 September An abortive coup in Jakarta results in the murder of six army generals, and disposal of bodies at Lubang Buaya. October A violent anti-communist purge leads to the killing of approximately 1/2 million Indonesians. (to March 1966) 1 October A counter-coup led by General Suharto that leads to the Overthrow of Sukarno 14 October President Sukarno appoints Major General Suharto Minister/Commander of the Army. 16 October The Jakarta Military Command temporarily suspends the activities of the PKI and its organizations in the Jakarta region. 13 December The rupiah is devalued by a factor of 1,000 in an effort to control inflation. 1966 10 January Anti-communist organizations grouped under the Pancasila Front issue the "Three Demands of the People" (Tritura), namely the dissolution of the PKI, the cleansing of the cabinet of elements involved in 30 September Movement, and lower prices and economic improvements. 14 February The Extraordinary Military Court trials of people allegedly involved in 30 September Movement begin. 24 February President Sukarno reshuffles his cabinet, creating what becomes known as the "cabinet of 100 ministers". 11 March Sukarno delegates key presidential powers to Suharto by signing the Supersemar. The following day Suharto dissolves the Indonesian Communist Party.Vickers (2005), page xiv 18 March A total of 14 cabinet ministers are taken into "protective custody". 2 May Following large scale demonstrations, the leadership of the Mutual-Assistance House of Representatives (DPR-GR) is replaced. 20 June The Fourth Session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly is held in Jakarta. It raises the status of the Supersemar into a decree, meaning Sukarno cannot revoke it, bans the PKI and its teachings and rejects President Sukarno's accountability speech. (to 5 July) 11 August Indonesia and Malaysia agree to normalize diplomatic relations. 28 September Indonesia rejoins the United Nations. 1967 10 January New investment laws designed to bring in foreign capital are passed; restrictions are introduced regarding status of Indonesian Chinese, their names and their religions. 22 February In a ceremony at the presidential palace, Sukarno hands over authority to Suharto. 7 March A Special Session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly strips Sukarno of his powers and appoints Suharto acting president. (to 12 March) 8 August ASEAN established in Bangkok by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.Bangkok Declaration. Wikisource. Retrieved 14 March 2007. 1 October Diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China are suspended. 1968 Soedjatmoko is Indonesian ambassador to the United States; bilateral relations warm. (to 1971) March Parliament confers full presidential title on Suharto; Sukarno is under effective house arrest. 1969 Papuan representatives agree to join Indonesia in the Act of Free Choice. 1970 Nurcholish Madjid, a young Muslim modernist, begins to lay out religious developmental principles for Indonesia—'Islam, yes; Islamic party, no'. 21 June Sukarno dies. He is buried at Blitar, East Java. 1971 Suharto's wife inspired by a visit to Disneyland, conceives a national cultural theme park.Friend (2003), page 530 3 July Indonesia's second parliamentary election and the first under the New Order is held. Golkar wins an outright majority. 1973 Government forces fusion of political parties; Nationalist and Christian parties are merged into the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and Muslim parties into the United Development Party (PPP). The new three party system is dominated by Golkar. 1974 The 'Malari' uprising in Jakarta against Japanese penetration of the economy, Chinese Indonesian influence, and official corruption. 1975 April Mrs Suharto dedicates the vast 'Beautiful Indonesia-in-Miniature Park' (Taman Mini) on the outskirts of Jakarta. April Civil war breaks out in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor. 6 December U.S. President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Kissinger, returning from China, make a hastily rescheduled one-day visit to Jakarta. 7 December Indonesia launches an invasion of East Timor. 1976 March General Ibnu Sutowo is 'dismissed with honour' after a decade as head of Pertamina, the state oil corporation. 8 July Palapa A1, Indonesia's first communication satellite launched from Cape Canaveral.Telecommunications Systems 17 July Suharto signs a bill integrating East Timor into Indonesia as its 27th province. 19 November UN General Assembly rejects Indonesia's annexation of East Timor. 1977 The United States surpasses Japan as Indonesia's biggest oil customer. October Sawito Kartowibowo's trial for 'subversion' begins. 1978 The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) elevates Pancasila to the status of compulsory moral education of youth and government officials. Suharto appoints B.J. Habibie as state minister for research and technology. 22 February Suharto inaugurated Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, the Indonesian national mosque.Indonesian State Secretariat (1995), 40 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka, Jilid 3 (40 Years of Indonesian Independence, Volume 3), p1035, 1979 21 September Jakarta host the 10th SEA Games, it was the first time Indonesia host Southeast Asian Games. (to 30 September) December Writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer is released after fourteen years imprisonment with hard labour on Buru Island. 1980 May The Petition of Fifty—a statement of concern to parliament about the use of government power, propaganda, and presidential personality cult—is begun. 1982 The height of Petrus ('mysterious shootings') of thousands of suspected criminals by government security forces. (to 1983) 1983 Prabowo Subianto, then a major in ABRI marries Suharto's daughter Titiek at Taman Mini. 1984 12 September Muslim concerned protesting over alleged insensitivities to Islam at Tanjung Priok; a riot ensues resulting in many deaths. Clamp down on Islamic political leaders. December Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) is elected chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama a position previously held by both his father and grandfather. 1985 The Indonesian government require all organisations of any kind to adopt Pancasila as their sole basis. 1987 Sukarno's daughter Megawati Sukarnoputri becomes a member of parliament; Suharto prohibits display of images of Sukarno although they appear frequently nonetheless.Friend (2003), page 531 9 September Jakarta host the 14th SEA Games. (to 20 September) 1988 Suharto is elected to a fifth term as president., Lilies Handayani, Nurfitriyana Saiman and Kusuma Wardhani won Indonesia's first medal in Olympic Games, a silver medal for women's team archery in 1988 Summer Olympics Seoul. 1989 The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) reemerges following its 1976 founding; suppression of its guerilla activities leads to 2,000 deaths by 1991 in Aceh. 1991 Indonesia wins presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement. 12 November ABRI troops fire on demonstrative funeral procession in Dili, East Timor. TV images of the killings put East Timor high on the international human rights agenda. 1992 Suharto successfully defies Dutch efforts to link human rights to aid administered since 1967 by the International Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI). Susi Susanti won Indonesia's first Olympic gold medal in 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.History of Badminton East Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmão is captured by Brigadier General Theo Syafei and is tried and sentenced. (to 1993) 1993 Suharto seeks a sixth term and is easily re-elected. 1994 June Suharto shuts down Tempo and two other publications for critical reporting of Habibie's purchase of the former East German navy. 1996 The Free Papua Movement (OPM) kidnaps fourteen scientists and foresters in Iran Jaya garnering international attention. After four months, the abductees are rescued in a bloody operation led by Prabowo. April Ibu Tien Suharto, the president's wife of 48 years, dies of a heart attack. July Military-backed thugs burst into headquarters of PDI, Megawati's party, and evict her supporters in a violent climax to government efforts to vitiate her party's popularity. 1997 Severe social unrest breaks out across Indonesian cities against Chinese Indonesians, Christians, symbols of wealth, the police and bureaucracy. (to 1998) February Alarmed at a dukun's prediction that 'the nail of Java has come loose', Suharto commands a massive Ruwat Dunia ceremony ('Cleansing of the world') near Borobudur. June Pacific Ocean trade winds shift heralding the onset of the El Niño; severe drought across much of Indonesia follows in the ensuing months accompanied by highly destructive forest fires. July The collapse of the Thai baht starts the East Asian financial crisis and over the ensuing months Indonesia is the country hardest hit. 11 October Jakarta host the 19th SEA Games. (to 19 October) 1998 March Largely peaceful student demonstrations against the regime rise to national prominence. 11 March Suharto unanimously elected by the MPR to his seventh presidential term.Friend (2003), page 532 12 May Four student demonstrators at Trisakti University are shot dead by bullets unproven but thought likely to have been from army sources. 13 May Memorial services for killed students leads to riots; vandalism, arson, looting and rape by roving mobs which continue unchecked by security forces for two days leaving 1,200 dead. 20 May For National Awakening Day, Amien Rais pledges to bring a million protestors into the streets to demonstrate against at the National Monument in Jakarta. Faced with barbed wire and massed troops he calls off the rally fearing bloodshed. 21 May After being deserted by his cabinet, Suharto resigns the presidency. Habibie assumes presidency. August General Wiranto announces the discharge of Lieutenant General Prabowo from active duty, with full pension benefits—and without court-martial for allegations of abduction and torture of student activist (some of whom remain missing as of 2003). 10 November Megawati, Rais, and the sultan of Yogya, meet at Wahid's home in Ciganjur, and issue a series of statements including a demand for the military to end their role in politics within six years. 13 November On the last day of the MPR sessions, soldiers open fire on demonstrating students killing at least fifteen and injuring hundreds. 1999 19 January A petty argument between in the city of Ambon triggers Christian-Muslim clashes that last for three years across Maluku. As many as 10,000 are killed and 700,000 or one third of the region are displaced. 7 June Indonesia's first free and fair national elections since 1955 take place with almost no disruption and wide participation. Votes however are distributed across forty-eight parties with no party achieving a majority. September East Timor votes to secede from Indonesia in a referendum conducted under UN auspices. Four-fifths of voters choose independence for East Timor over integration with Indonesia. Pro-integration militias trained and paid by ABRI immediately resort to a scorched earth policy that leaves 1,000 dead and most of the territory's infrastructure ruined. 13 September President Habibie relents to international pressure and allows a UN peacekeeping force known as 'INTERFET' to enter East Timor and restore order. October The Indonesian parliament rejects President Habibie's accountability speech. Wahid whose party received one eighth of the popular vote is elected president by the MPR. Megawati whose party received one third of the vote (the highest) is elected vice president.Friend (2003), page 533 2000 President Wahid's administration is marred by failures to stabilise the economy, patterns of political favouritism, economic corruption (although Wahid himself is not accused of corruption), inability to reform the military, personal eccentricity and pettiness, ineffectiveness in dealing with major religious violence in Maluku and Sulawesi, major ethnic violence (Dayaks vs. Madurese) in Kalimantan, and separatisms in Aceh and Irian Jaya. 24 December In a coordinated attack involving more than three dozen sites across the country, churches are bombed and eighteen people killed. It is later proven to have been planned by Jemaah Islamiyah in retaliation for Christian killings of Muslims in the Maluku conflict.
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Netherlands Government transferres sovereignty to
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