JP/Don

Even though the building, which has maintained its original art deco architectural style, has changed ownership over time, Rear. Adm. Tadashi Maeda, head of the Japanese naval liaison office in Batavia prior to the country'€™s independence, was probably the most renowned owner of what residents now know as the Museum of the Drafting of the Proclamation Text.

Maeda'€™s then residence, which was believed to be built around 1920 on a 4,380 square meter plot of land on Jl. Imam Bonjol, Menteng, Central Jakarta, was a silent witness to one of the most important moments in Indonesian history. It was here that nationalist leaders including founding fathers Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta and Ahmad Soebardjo discussed and drafted the proclamation text and read it aloud before youthgroup members who had encouraged the leaders to immediately proclaim independence after realizing that Japan had surrendered to the Allied Forces on Aug. 15, 1945.

In 1984, the building was turned into a museum, where visitors can relive the moment through displayed statues of Sukarno, Hatta and Soebardjo, and replicas of chairs and tables used during the drafting process.

Tugu Proklamasi

Located on Jl. Proklamasi 56, Central Jakarta, Tugu Proklamasi (Proclamation Monument) is one of the most historic sites in the country. The area was the place where founding father Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence on Aug. 17, 1945.

Now, on the exact spot where Sukarno and Hatta read the proclamation text, replica statues stand, complete with the Proclamation Text engraved on black marble with 17 pillars behind them symbolizing the date of the Independence Day.

Domei News Agency office

After the Proclamation was read out, the script of the Proclamation was brought by Domei journalist Syahruddin to the Domei news agency office (now Antara news agency office) on Pasar Baru to be broadcast across the archipelago.

The office head, Waidan B. Palenewen ordered radio operator F. Wuz to announce the Proclamation three times that day.

The announcement was halted for a while as Japanese soldiers forcefully entered the broadcasting room and asked them to stop the broadcast.

The news agency office was eventually sealed by the Japanese so the employees were not allowed to enter the office.

However, some youths, Domie news anchor Ronodipuro and some radio technicians installed a new broadcasting station in what is now Gedung Joang '€™45 on Jl. Menteng 31 in Central Jakarta to continue the mission.

The Antara building is now the headquarters of Antara photo department as well as a journalistic photo gallery.

Gedung Joang '€˜45

Also known as Museum Joang '€™45, the site was initially developed as a hotel in 1920s by a Dutchman who lived in Jakarta for many years, LC Schomper, on Jl. Menteng Raya No. 31, Central Jakarta.

After the Domei building was closed by the Japanese, the youths broadcast the Proclamation text in this building.

Enny Prihantini, operational unit head of the building, said on Thursday that during this year'€™s Independence Day celebration the museum would invite a thousand people from various communities into the museum to reflect on the story behind Independence Day.

JP/Wendra Ajistyatama

Monas

The National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta is home to Ikada Square, where thousands of people flocked on Sept. 19, 1945, to hear president Sukarno'€™s speech.

The big meeting was organized by young members of the Komite Van Aksi (Committee of Action) to celebrate a month after the Proclamation of the Independence.

The area of Ikada Square was turned into Monas, where Sukarno built the iconic monument in 1961.

The monument was built to remember the struggle of Indonesians who fought against colonialism.