What YOU NEED TO KNOW about the History of Southeast Asia's National and Independence Days
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multitude of nations and diverse indigenous peoples, each with its own unique heritage,
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traditions, and histories of independence. You know, from the majestic temples of Cambodia to
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the lush landscapes of Vietnam, from the tropical shores of Indonesia to the bustling cities of
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Singapore, this region is a treasure trove of cultural diversity. So join us as we take you
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into a captivating journey to the national days and independence days of these remarkable nations.
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Let's dig deeper and learn more about how these countries fought for their freedom,
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challenged colonial powers, and emerged as proud independent nations.
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Welcome back to another history video. It's me, Kirby Arroyo, your friendly Pinoy historian.
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And if you are new to my channel, in this channel, I make videos about our people's history,
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culture, and everything in between. So if you like learning about the Philippines,
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Southeast Asia, and beyond like the diaspora, don't forget to like, share this video,
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comment down below, and please, please subscribe. And in today's video, we'll be digging deeper and
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learning more about the different national days and independence days across Southeast Asia.
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So without further ado, let's begin in no particular order. First up is Vietnam. The
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National Day or Nay Kok Han is celebrated in Vietnam every year on the 2nd of September.
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One might have assumed that this independence day or national day was chosen to mark the end of
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the Vietnam War with the United States and the full independence and reunification of Vietnam in
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1975. However, the Vietnamese National Day actually marks the day in 1945 when Ho Chi Minh,
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the leader of the Vietnamese Revolution, read out the Vietnamese Declaration of Independence
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of Vietnam at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. This was just a few weeks after the end of the Second
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World War when Vietnam, which had then been occupied by the now-defeated Japanese, was
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experiencing a power vacuum in the absence of French colonial rule. This date was chosen in
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the aftermath of the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975 as the country's national day, and is today
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celebrated accordingly. Now let's go to the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Independence Day of
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Cambodia, which is celebrated on the 9th of November every year in the country, is its
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national holiday. This marks the declaration of independence within the country from French
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colonial rule on the 9th of November 1953. So in the aftermath of the Second World War, French
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control of Indochina was extremely weakened, and then King Norodom Sihanouk was pressing for
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greater independence for Cambodia from the French. Now unknown to many, the government in Paris had
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maintained the traditional Cambodian monarchy during colonial times, and so the Khmer King
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became a figurehead for resistance against French rule in the aftermath of World War II.
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Eventually, this resulted in the Independence Declaration in 1953. But sadly, it was followed
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by bloody decades of civil war and the tyranny and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
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But nevertheless, you know, four decades later after the fall of the Khmer Rouge,
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Cambodia's Independence Day is celebrated with national festivities and parades around the
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Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, the kingdom's capital. Next up is Laos. Laos National
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Day is celebrated on the 2nd of December every year, and this is a commemoration of the day in
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1975 when the Pathet Lao Independence Movement declared Laos independence from royalist rule,
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which had been established in 1953 following the end of direct French colonial rule in Laos.
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Now Laos had been enormously impacted by the wider Vietnam War and the conflicts in Cambodia
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throughout the Cold War period. In fact, Laos holds the record of being the most bombed country
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in the world. But following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Vietnamese helped the Laos
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Independence Movement in removing the shackles of royalist rule, and thus establishing the Laos
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People's Democratic Republic. However, this was not the end of the conflict in Laos, which
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continued on for many years to come, down to the end of the 20th century, before the nation
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became a stable modern country that we are familiar with today. So now, let's hop over to
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Thailand. Thailand has an extremely unique National Day by comparison with the vast majority of
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nations in Latin America, in Africa, the Middle East, and across Southeast Asia. And this is for
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the simple reason that Thailand was never fully colonized by the Western powers, a rare exception
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outside of Europe. Thus, while most nations celebrate their National Day in honor of when
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they acquired independence from empires like Britain, France, Germany, the Dutch, Portugal,
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or Spain, or the U.S., the Thai people instead celebrates the National Day of Thailand on the
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5th of December every year, to commemorate and celebrate the birth of the beloved King
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Phumipol Adulyadej, who was born on December 5th, 1927, and who subsequently went on to rule the
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country from 1946 to 2016. He, in fact, holds the record of the third longest reigning monarch in
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world history. Now, after his death in 2016, a decision was taken to continue to celebrate the
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National Day of Thailand on his birthday. And now from Thailand, let's cross over down south to
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Malaysia. The National Holiday of the Federation of Malaysia, known as Hari Merdeka or Hari Kabangsaan,
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is celebrated on the 31st of August every year, a commemoration which is outlined in the Malay
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Constitution. It is celebrated on this day owing to the fact that on August 31st, 1957, Malaysia
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declared its independence from the British Empire after approximately 130 years of colonial control.
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However, there is a debate today within Malaysia, you know, as to whether or not this should be
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acknowledged as the National Holiday of the country. Because back in 1957, Malaysia was not
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yet Malaysia. It was instead known as the Federation of Malaya, consisting of only the states within
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the Malay Peninsula. And so, others would argue that the 16th of September should be celebrated
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instead. Because this was the day back in 1963 when Sarawak and North Borneo, or what is now Sabah,
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officially joined with the Malay Peninsula to form the modern nation-state of the Federation
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of Malaysia. Nevertheless, today, the National Day of Malaysia or Hari Merdeka or Hari Kabangsaan
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is celebrated extensively and with foreign dignitaries from all across Southeast Asia.
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So before we continue, here's a few reminders. Today's video is just a brief introduction,
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an overview of the fascinating histories of Southeast Asia's national and independence days.
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So check out the links below for a list of sources and recommended readings to learn more. And if
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there's anything that I missed or anything that you want to add, please let us know in the comments
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below. Let's all learn from one another. And for those of you who would like to support my channel
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and my research, please be my patron on Patreon, or be a member of my YouTube channel, or get copies
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of any of my books, coloring books and ebooks, or any of the merch linked down below. And if you
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haven't done so yet, make sure to subscribe and like this video to learn more about the Philippines,
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Southeast Asia, and beyond. You know, learning more about history, culture, and everything in between.
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Now back to our topic, starting with the Sultanate of Brunei, Darussalam. The National Day or
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Hari Nasional is celebrated in Brunei every year on the 23rd of February. This marks the date when
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the Sultanate of Brunei acquired full independence from Britain in 1984, after nearly a century of
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colonial rule. Unknown to many, the Sultanate of Brunei, despite being once one of the mightiest
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kingdoms in the history of Southeast Asia, was gradually turned into a British protectorate
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from 1888 onwards. And like many other parts of the British Empire, Brunei acquired a growing
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amount of self-governance in the 1950s and the 1960s. But it was not until 1984 that Britain's
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last ties to the Southeast Asian Sultanate were cut. And today, despite being a tiny state compared
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to what it once was, Brunei has one of the world's highest standards of living, thanks to its
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bountiful oil and gas reserves. The celebrations of Hari Nasional focuses on Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah,
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during which prayers are offered in mosques, followed by festivities with fervent patriotism.
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Now from Brunei, let's hop over to Singapore. And Singapore, which, you know, is one of the world's
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wealthiest and most prosperous countries, celebrates its National Day every year on the 9th
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of August. And this is the day when, you know, in 1965, the Republic of Singapore declared its
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independence from Malaysia, after just two years of officially being part of the Federation of
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Malaysia. Now, this city-state at the end of the Malay Peninsula had been a British colony since
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the first half of the 1800s. But it gained independence from Britain gradually in the
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aftermath of World War II. Now, Singapore's independence from Malaysia on August 9, 1965,
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marked a pivotal moment in the nation's history. After a brief merger with the Federation of
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Malaysia in 1963, political and ideological differences led to the separation of Singapore
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from Malaysia. And despite initial challenges, the nation successfully embarked on a remarkable
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journey of nation-building, emerging as a thriving global city-state known for its economic strength,
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cultural diversity, and impressive achievements. The history of Singapore's independence is a
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testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering spirit of its people, who transform
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a small island into a global powerhouse. Now from Singapore, let's sail across into Indonesia.
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Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, and with over 270 million people
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across 1.86 million square kilometers, Indonesia is indeed the largest nation in Southeast Asia,
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both in terms of land and in population. Indonesia's Independence Day is celebrated
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across the many islands of the country on the 17th of August every year, commemorating the
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nation's hard-fought struggle for freedom. On this historic day in 1945, Indonesia declared
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its independence from Dutch colonial rule, marking the beginning of a new era, after almost
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four centuries of colonial rule, during which both the Dutch, the Portuguese, and the Japanese
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have occupied Indonesia as a colony. The journey of Indonesia towards independence was marked by
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the unwavering determination and sacrifices of Indonesian heroes who fought for self-governance
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and national unity. Today, Indonesian Independence Day or Hari Kemerdekaan is a time of national pride
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and celebration, and it serves as a reminder of Indonesia's rich cultural heritage, diversity,
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and the enduring spirit of its people. And as Indonesia continues to grow and develop as a
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modern nation, Hari Kemerdekaan or Independence Day remains a significant milestone honoring
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the struggles and the achievements that have shaped the country's identity and independence,
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and their ongoing commitment to building a prosperous and inclusive society. And now from
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Indonesia, let's go back to my motherland, the Philippines. And as mentioned earlier, Independence
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Day in the Philippines is celebrated as a national holiday annually on June 12th. On this day in 1898,
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the Philippines proclaimed its independence from Spanish colonial rule, after centuries of struggle,
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including the Katipunan-led revolution. The secret society, known as the Katipunan, played a pivotal
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role in the fight for freedom, led by Andres Bonifacio and many others. However, like many other
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nations in Southeast Asia, there was a complicated history in the aftermath of this declaration of
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independence, as the jubilation was short-lived. The First Philippine Republic faced a bitter and
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brutal war against the United States from 1899 to 1903, while many argued that this conflict
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persisted until 1913. Now while initially supportive of Philippine independence, the United
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States struck a deal with Spain, acquiring the islands for 20 million dollars, and the Philippines
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remained under American occupation until after the Second World War. But when full independence came
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in 1946, it arrived on the 4th of July, a date chosen by the United States in imitation of
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America's own declaration of independence from Britain on the 4th of July, 1776. However, the
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Filipino people quickly decided that Independence Day should be celebrated on June 12, rather than
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the 4th of July, which, you know, had imperialist overtones. And in 1962, then-President Justado
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Macapagal declared June 12 as a public holiday throughout the Philippines. By doing so, he
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distanced himself and the Philippines from the shadows of the United States. Macapagal's vision
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was for the Philippine Independence Day celebration to reflect the day Filipinos broke free
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and asserted their freedom, rather than commemorating the day granted by the colonizers.
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In fact, he eloquently stated that a nation is born free when its people, united through struggle
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and sacrifice, assert their natural right to liberty. Now, the history and the significance
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of Philippine Independence Day is quite complicated, so make sure to check out my
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earlier videos about this topic in both English and in Tagalog. And if you are new to my channel,
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I also have a series of videos about the fascinating history of the Philippine Revolution,
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the Philippine Independence, and the Filipino struggle for genuine liberation. So, if you
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haven't seen them yet, make sure to watch them after this video. But for now, let's hop over to
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Myanmar. Myanmar, also known as Burma throughout much of its history as a British colony and
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subsequently as an independent nation, has had a complicated National Day or Independence Day.
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On the one hand, this is celebrated each year on the 4th of January in honor of Burma's
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Declaration of Independence from the British Empire back in 1948. However, the National Day
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of Myanmar is also celebrated on the 10th day following the full moon of Tazagmon, the 8th month
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of the traditional Burmese calendar, a date which honors the first student riot in opposition to
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British rule in the region that happened at Rangoon University back in 1920. Now, this usually
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falls in early winter to midwinter. So, for instance, in 2023, the National Day will be
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celebrated on the 7th of December, while in 2024, this National Day will fall on the 16th of November.
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Now, from Myanmar, let's visit Southeast Asia's youngest independent nation, the island country
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of East Timor. The 28th of November is the National Day of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste,
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aka East Timor. The day was formally enshrined as a national holiday by the government of East
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Timor back in 2005. But by that point, it had already been celebrated informally for three
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decades, because this day commemorates the date in 1975 when the independence movement on the
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island issued a unilateral declaration of independence. Now, East Timor had been a
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Portuguese colony since the 1600s. But following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal back in 1974
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and the acceptance of the Portuguese government that it would have to grant independence to its
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remaining colonies, nationalists within East Timor declared independence. But sadly, this was followed
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by a bloody conflict. Indonesia's occupation of East Timor, which began in 1975, was a period
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marked by deep divisions and immense suffering. The annexation was met with resistance from the
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East Timorese people, leading to a protracted and brutal conflict that resulted in significant loss
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of life and widespread human rights abuses. However, in 1999, a turning point was reached
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when East Timor held a referendum in which the majority of the population voted for independence.
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This marked a significant milestone in their journey towards self-determination and sovereignty.
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And since gaining full independence back in May 2002, East Timor, or Timor-Leste, has focused on
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rebuilding and consolidating its nation. And efforts have been made to address the wounds of
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the past and foster reconciliation, as the country strives to build a peaceful and prosperous future.
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Today, Timor-Leste stands as a symbol of resilience and hope, with its people working towards
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sustainable development, social progress, and the preservation of their cultural heritage.
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The journey towards independence and the ongoing pursuit of peace serve as reminders of the enduring
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spirit of the East Timorese people. Now, the following countries and territories are, you know,
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not usually considered to be part of this modern-day, this present-day definition, geopolitical
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definition, of what is now Southeast Asia. But nonetheless, these places, these countries and
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territories, given their proximity and cultural ties with our people, they have always been
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intertwined with the history, the culture, the society of what is now Southeast Asia. And, you know,
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from food, to languages, and everything in between, and the geopolitics of what is now Southeast Asia,
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since the beginning of time, since the beginning of history. First up is Hong Kong. You know, Hong Kong
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is something of a peculiar case within China in terms of its national day. On the one hand, as a
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constituent part of the People's Republic of China, it celebrates the wider country's National
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Day. The National Day of the People's Republic of China is celebrated every year on the 1st of
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October to commemorate the victory of the Chinese Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
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However, every year on July 1st, Hong Kong also celebrates the Hong Kong Special Administrative
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Region Establishment Day to celebrate the end of the British rule in Hong Kong in 1997, and to
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commemorate the establishment of Hong Kong as part of the People's Republic of China with certain
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specific rules and exceptions. Today, both days are celebrated as national holidays in Hong Kong.
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And from Hong Kong, let's hop over to its neighbor, Macau. The National Day of Macau, the small enclave
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in southeastern China, is complicated by its recent history. It was once a Portuguese colony for over
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centuries from the mid-1500s through 1999, when it was finally granted independence and was ceded
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to the People's Republic of China. And this happened on the 28th of December 1999. As such,
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that date has a claim to being the Independence Day or National Day of Macau, given that the city
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and its environs still retain a degree of independence from the centralized rule in Beijing.
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However, just like in Hong Kong, the 1st of October is also celebrated as a national holiday.
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Given that Macau is now part of the People's Republic of China. And thus, much like Hong Kong,
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there are two national days celebrated in Macau. One commemorating Macau's independence from the
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Portuguese, and the other one commemorating the victory of the People's Republic of China
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against the Nationalist Kuomintang during the Chinese Civil War back in 1949. And speaking of
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the Chinese Civil War in 1949, on the island of Taiwan, the National Day of the Republic of China
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is celebrated annually on the 10th of October. And this does not relate to the Chinese Nationalist
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decision to leave the Chinese mainland and take over Taiwan in 1949. But rather, it hails all the
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way back to 1911 and the Wuchang Uprising that overthrew the Qing Dynasty and ushered in the
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first period of republicanism in China. It was celebrated as a public holiday on mainland China
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down to 1949. But following the Communist victory in the Civil War, these celebrations ended in the
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mainland. It is also worth noting that Taiwan's sovereignty status is a complex and contentious
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issue. While Taiwan operates as a separate political entity with its own government,
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military, and constitution, it is not universally recognized as an independent country. In fact,
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the People's Republic of China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and maintains a
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one-China policy. However, Taiwan functions as a de facto independent nation with its own political
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and economic systems. It has established diplomatic relations with several countries
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and participates in various international organizations under the name of Chinese Taipei.
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The sovereignty status of Taiwan remains a subject of ongoing debate and diplomatic sensitivity,
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with different perspectives and opinions held by various countries and stakeholders. So from Taiwan,
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let's move over to another island nation. Papua New Guinea celebrates its independence each year
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on the 16th of September. This is a federal holiday in the country, the world's third-largest
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island nation, one which marks the date on which the country achieved full independence from
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Australia in 1975. Papua New Guinea's colonial status had been a mix for over a century prior
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to this date, as the island was variously controlled by Australia, Britain, and Germany,
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with governance status shifting between the 1880s and the 1940s. For instance, part of the island
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was taken over by Australia and Germany during the late 19th century, but German control lapsed
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after the end of the First World War. And from Papua, let's now sail towards our final stop in
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this journey, in this video, to the island nation of Palau. Now unknown to many, Palau's path to
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independence is actually intertwined with its historical connections to the Philippines. In fact,
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back in 1898, Palau was officially a part of the First Philippine Republic, a short-lived
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revolutionary government that sought independence from Spanish colonial rule.
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And the leaders of the Philippine Revolution, including then-President Emilio Aguinaldo,
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recognized Palau as an integral part of the newly declared republic. However, after the Spanish-American
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War in 1898 and the Philippine-American War in 1899, Palau, along with other territories, were
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transferred to German control. Subsequently, it came under Japanese administration during the First
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World War, and was later placed under the trusteeship of the United States. Now the people
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of Palau's aspirations for self-governance continued to grow, leading to negotiations
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between Palau and the United States that eventually resulted in Palau's independence
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on October 1st, 1994. This significant milestone marked the culmination of Palau's long journey
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toward self-determination and the establishment of its own constitutional government. And as we
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come to the end of our journey, throughout Southeast Asia and neighboring countries, we have
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witnessed the remarkable resilience, rich culture, and the unity that define this diverse region.
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From Myanmar to the Philippines, from Thailand to Malaysia, each nation's history and celebrations
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have left an indelible mark on its people and the world. Through the struggles and triumphs, these
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nations have emerged as proud, independent entities, united in their pursuit of freedom
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and self-determination. Now throughout the region's history, diverse communities have risen
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against colonial rule, oppressive regimes, and societal injustices, fighting for their rights
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and dignity. You know, from the protracted struggles for independence led by the figures like
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Soekarno in Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, to the ongoing fight
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for indigenous rights, for ethnic and religious equality in places like Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar,
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the Philippines, Vietnam, and many others, Southeast Asia has witnessed an enduring quest for freedom.
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These struggles serve as a reminder of the resilience and determination of our people,
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inspiring future generations to strive for justice, democracy, and the recognition of all
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individuals' inherent worth. So may these National Days and Independence Days inspire us all to strive
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for a better society and a more inclusive world. You know, the National Days and Independence
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Days across Southeast Asia, these are not just dates on a calendar. You know, these are powerful symbols
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of unity, of resilience, and of deep cultural heritage. You know, as we reflect on the histories
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of our people, on our people's victory against oppression, as we honor their resilience, their
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their heroism in fighting for our people's freedom, let us also embrace this spirit of
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unity. You know, and celebrate the diverse and vibrant cultures, the diverse people of Southeast
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Asia, the unique identities that make this region extraordinary, truly extraordinary. And you know,
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let's be honest, sometimes on social media, there's a lot of bickering about so many random things.
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You know, this is my culture, that's not yours. But in truth, we share a lot in common. We share a lot
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with each other. On the surface, it may not seem so. But to be honest, our people share a lot with
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each other. We have more things in common than what divides us. So together, let us continue to
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cherish and preserve the legacy of our ancestors, the legacy and the beauty of Southeast Asia. And
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let us continue to honor their collective journey towards liberation by building solidarity towards
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a brighter future for our diverse and beautiful people, for our children. And that is it for me
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today. So let me know what you think about today's topic in the comments below. And if you learned
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something new today, learned a thing or two, don't forget to like, share this video, comment down
25:50.2
below, and please, please subscribe. And of course, this video would not be possible without the love
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and the support of all my patrons, subscribers, and viewers like you throughout these years.
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Kaya naman, to all of you, maraming maraming salamat po oing kamampangan. Dakalpong salamat.
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In bahasa Melayu and bahasa Indonesia, terima kasih. See you next time oing Tagalog Kitakits
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oing kamampangan. Mikitiks oing bahasa Melayu, jumpa lagi, and in Thai, Jairganmai!
