On 17 August 1945, Sukarno, leader of the Indonesian Nationalist Party, read the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence at the Battle of Surabaya, declaring the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The following day, 18 August, the Indonesian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by Sukarno and Hatta at the Hotel des Indes in Bandung.
The Netherlands tried to re-establish their control over Indonesia, but their efforts failed and the Dutch recognised Indonesian independence in 1949. The handover of sovereignty was completed …