81 years ago today
Indonesia Declares Independence
On August 17, 1945, just two days after Japan's surrender ending World War II, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesian independence in a brief ceremony in Jakarta. The declaration ended more than three centuries of Dutch colonial rule over the archipelago. The Netherlands refused to accept the declaration and attempted to re-establish control, triggering a four-year war of independence. Indonesia ultimately won recognition of its sovereignty in 1949, and Sukarno became the nation's first president, leading one of the world's most populous countries into a new era.
This day, across time
- 1585EventFirst Roanoke Colonists Land in America
- 1786BornDavy Crockett
- 1786DiedFrederick the Great
- 1807EventFulton's Steamboat Makes Commercial Debut
- 1850DiedJosé de San Martín
- 1862EventDakota War Begins in Minnesota
- 1876EventGötterdämmerung Premieres at Bayreuth
- 1887BornMarcus Garvey
- 1907EventPike Place Market Opens in Seattle
- 1932BornV. S. Naipaul
- 1943BornRobert De Niro
- 1944BornLarry Ellison
- 1945FeaturedIndonesia Declares Independence
- 1945EventAnimal Farm Published
- 1977EventSoviet Icebreaker Reaches the North Pole
- 1987EventRudolf Hess Dies in Spandau Prison
- 2008EventMichael Phelps Wins Record Eight Olympic Gold Medals
- 2017EventBarcelona Van Attack Kills 14
Alive in 1945
OverlapSame years; not influence
- Adolf Hitlerdied this year
Abraham Heschelturned 38 this year
Albert Einsteinturned 66 this year
Carl Gustav Jungturned 70 this year
Deng Xiaopingturned 41 this year
Eleanor Rooseveltturned 61 this year
Elvis Presleyturned 10 this year
Emmanuel Levinasturned 39 this year
Ernest Hemingwayturned 46 this year
Frida Kahloturned 38 this year
19 more figures were alive that year
On This Day in History
10 EventsFirst Roanoke Colonists Land in America
Ralph Lane leads the first group of English settlers to land on Roanoke Island, in present-day North Carolina, beginning England's earliest attempt at establishing a permanent colony in North America.
Fulton's Steamboat Makes Commercial Debut
Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat completes its inaugural commercial voyage from New York City to Albany, covering 150 miles in 32 hours and inaugurating the age of commercial steam navigation.
Dakota War Begins in Minnesota
The Dakota War of 1862 erupts when a group of Dakota warriors attacks white settlers in Acton Township, Minnesota, after years of broken treaties, withheld food payments, and encroachment on native lands.
Götterdämmerung Premieres at Bayreuth
Richard Wagner's epic opera Götterdämmerung receives its world premiere at the newly opened Bayreuth Festspielhaus, completing the four-opera Ring cycle that Wagner had spent over two decades composing.
Pike Place Market Opens in Seattle
Pike Place Market opens in Seattle, Washington, created in response to public outrage over rising food prices. It becomes one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States.
Animal Farm Published
George Orwell's allegorical novella Animal Farm is published in London by Secker & Warburg. The satirical fable, depicting farm animals overthrowing their human farmer only to be oppressed by pigs, became one of the most influential political novels of the 20th century.
Soviet Icebreaker Reaches the North Pole
The Soviet nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika becomes the first surface ship to reach the geographic North Pole, a historic feat of Arctic navigation demonstrating Soviet polar technology.
Rudolf Hess Dies in Spandau Prison
Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's former deputy and the last prisoner held at Spandau Prison in West Berlin, dies at the age of 93. He had been imprisoned since his mysterious 1941 solo flight to Scotland, having served 46 years of a life sentence handed down at Nuremberg.
Michael Phelps Wins Record Eight Olympic Gold Medals
Michael Phelps completes his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven golds in a single Games. Phelps' eight golds at a single Olympics remain the most by any athlete in history.
Barcelona Van Attack Kills 14
A terrorist drives a van into crowds on Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, killing 14 people and injuring over 130 in an attack claimed by the Islamic State. A second attack in Cambrils is thwarted hours later, making it one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Spanish soil.
Born on This Day
Davy Crockett
American frontiersman and politician
Born in Tennessee, Davy Crockett became a legendary folk hero known for his exploits on the American frontier. He served three terms in Congress before dying at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, cementing his status as an enduring American icon.
Marcus Garvey
Jamaican political activist and journalist
Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and was a driving force behind the Pan-Africanism and Black nationalism movements. He advocated for the repatriation of the African diaspora to Africa and became one of the most influential Black leaders of the early 20th century.
Robert De Niro
American actor and filmmaker
Robert De Niro is considered one of the greatest actors in film history, known for transformative performances in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Godfather Part II. He won two Academy Awards and is celebrated for his intense method acting approach.
V. S. Naipaul
Trinidad-born British novelist
V. S. Naipaul was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001 for his unflinching prose exploring the complexities of colonialism, identity, and displacement. Works like A House for Mr. Biswas and A Bend in the River established him as one of the 20th century's most important writers.
Larry Ellison
Co-founder of Oracle Corporation
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle Corporation in 1977, building it into the world's leading database software company. Known for his flamboyant personality and competitive drive, he became one of the wealthiest people on earth.
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Frederick the Great
King of Prussia
Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great, died at Sans Souci palace after a reign of 46 years. His military victories and enlightened reforms transformed Prussia into a major European power and made him one of the most celebrated monarchs in European history.
José de San Martín
Argentine general and independence leader
José de San Martín, the liberator of Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish colonial rule, died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Alongside Simón Bolívar, he is considered one of the two great heroes of South American independence.
Rudolf Hess
Nazi war criminal, Hitler's former deputy
Rudolf Hess died at Spandau Prison aged 93, having been imprisoned since his 1941 solo flight to Scotland. The circumstances of his death — officially ruled a suicide by hanging — have remained the subject of conspiracy theories.
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