VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

RRI World Service -Voice of Indonesia with Today In History, a regular segment which brings back people and events from this date in the past as recorded in history.

I’ll start with May 20, 1908;the first National Awakening Day of Indonesia.

Every May 20, the Indonesian people commemorate National Awakening Day. The day, that became the momentum of the struggle of all Indonesian people, was marked by the birth of Budi Oetomo organization in 1908. The establishment of Budi Oetomo was the beginning of a movement aimed at achieving the independence of Indonesia. Judging from the history of the establishment of Budi Oetomo,  founded by educated young people, it is fitting for the people of Indonesia,`to have the same spirit for the resurrection of Indonesia to progress. Live along with the development of science and technology.

Next is from 20 May 2002; Timor-Leste becomes independent from Indonesia.

The Democratic Republic of East Timor,  which before independence was named East Timor, is a small country to the north of Australia and the eastern part of the Indonesian  island of Timor. In addition, the country's territory also includes Kambing  or Atauro island, Jaco, and the Oecussi-Ambeno enclave in West Timor. East Timor was once one of Indonesia's provinces. It was  officially independent on 20 May 2002. When it became a member of the United Nations, the country decided to use the Portuguese name "Timor Leste" as the official name of their country.

I’ll end Today in History with  May 20, 2008; Ali Sadikin dies.

Ali Sadikin, the former Jakarta governor, also known as Bang Ali, died at the age of 82 years, on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

Ali Sadikin is well known for developing   the city of Jakarta. He received the honor of Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana because he was considered meritorious to the country and the nation, especially for turning  Jakarta into a Metropolitan City. President Soekarno appointed him Governor of Jakarta in the 60s because he was  considered as “stubborn”. He succeeded as a leader and in developing   the city of Jakarta precisely because of his harsh nature.