National Heroes’ Day

Photo by Subulu Salam on Unsplash

Today, November 10, 2023, the Indonesian people commemorate National Heroes Day. This commemoration is a form of respect and appreciation for the services of heroes and fighters who have sacrificed for Indonesia’s independence from colonialism.

National Heroes’ Day was established by the Indonesian government based on the events of the November 10, 1945 Battle of Surabaya, which became one of the biggest and toughest battles in the history of Indonesia’s struggle for independence. In the battle, the people of Surabaya together with the People’s Security Army (TKR) fought British and Dutch troops who wanted to regain control of Indonesia.

National Heroes’ Day is not only celebrated to remember the past but also to revive the spirit of the heroes in the context of today and the future. The spirit of the heroes should be an inspiration in fighting poverty by creating equality, creating jobs, and inspiring the younger generation to get a better education. As well as fighting ignorance by educating the nation’s life through knowledge and literacy. As a nation, we have a responsibility to inherit the spirit of heroes in an effort to continue their struggle to create a more just, educated, and prosperous society. Heroes’ Day is the right time to reflect on our contribution to realizing the ideals of independence to overcome poverty and ignorance and make the future of the nation more just, intelligent, and prosperous.