Indonesian Independence Day

Indonesian Independence Day
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Flag bearers hoist the national red and white flag during a ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the country's Independence on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesian Independence Day
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A horse-drawn carriage carries the national flag from the National Monument to the Presidential Palace for Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside
Indonesian Independence Day
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Indonesia president Joko Widodo (C) and his wife Iriana pose for pictures with parliament members after delivering a speech in front of parliament members ahead of Thursday's independence day in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 16, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta
Indonesian Independence Day
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A student wearing traditional costume waits for the start of Independence Day celebrations at the National Monument in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants take part in Panjat Pinang, a pole climbing contest, as part of festivities marking Indonesia's 72nd Independence Day on Ancol beach in Jakarta on August 17, 2017. Panjat Pinang, a tradition dating back to the Dutch colonial days, is one of the most popular traditions for celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day. / AFP / GOH Chai Hin
Indonesian Independence Day
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A military honour guard marches towards the Presidential Palace from the National Monument during an Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside
Indonesian Independence Day
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Locals display a large red and white national flag during a parade to celebrate the country's independence in Bali, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Indonesia is marking the 72nd anniversary of its declaration of independence from Dutch colonial rule on Thursday. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants assist each other in greased-pole climbing competition held as a part of independence day celebration at Ancol Beach in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug 17, 2017. Contestants race up to grab items ranging from buckets to bicycles hanging from the top of the poles as prize. Indonesia is celebrating its 72th anniversary of independence from the Netherlands. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants take part in Panjat Pinang, a pole climbing contest, as part of festivities marking Indonesia's 72nd Independence Day on Ancol beach in Jakarta on August 17, 2017. Panjat Pinang, a tradition dating back to the Dutch colonial days, is one of the most popular traditions for celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day. / AFP / GOH Chai Hin
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants take part in Panjat Pinang, a pole climbing contest, as part of festivities marking Indonesia's 72nd Independence Day on Ancol beach in Jakarta on August 17, 2017. Panjat Pinang, a tradition dating back to the Dutch colonial days, is one of the most popular traditions for celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day. / AFP / GOH Chai Hin
Indonesian Independence Day
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A couple reacts as their colleague wins a bicycle during greased pole competition during the celebration of Independence Day at Ancol Dreamland Park in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta
Indonesian Independence Day
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People climb greased poles, on which prizes and flags are attached, to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day in Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on August 17, 2017. Indonesia marked the 72nd anniversary of its independence from Dutch rule on August 17. / AFP / Sonny TUMBELAKA
Indonesian Independence Day
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Dancers perform during the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the country's Independence on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants take part in Panjat Pinang, a pole climbing contest, as part of festivities marking Indonesia's 72nd Independence Day on Ancol beach in Jakarta on August 17, 2017. Panjat Pinang, a tradition dating back to the Dutch colonial days, is one of the most popular traditions for celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day. / AFP / GOH Chai Hin
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants struggle during a greased-pole climbing competition held as a part of independence day celebration at Ancol Beach in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug 17, 2017. Contestants race up to grab items ranging from buckets to bicycles hanging from the top of the poles as prize. Indonesia is celebrating its 72th anniversary of independence from the Netherlands. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
Indonesian Independence Day
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Students wearing traditional costume wait for the start of Independence Day celebrations at the National Monument in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside
Indonesian Independence Day
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Indonesia's President Joko Widodo salutes during a flag hoisting ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the country's Independence on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesian Independence Day
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Indonesia president Joko Widodo (C) with his wife Iriana (R) with parliament members pose for pictures after delivering a speech in front of parliament members ahead of Thursday's independence day in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 16, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta
Indonesian Independence Day
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Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, center, his wife Iriana, left, and deputy Jusuf Kalla applaud during a flag hoisting ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the country's Independence on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesian Independence Day
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A military band marches towards the Presidential Palace from the National Monument during Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside
Indonesian Independence Day
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Indonesia President Joko Widodo (3rd L) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (4th R) pose with former Indonesian presidents while marking Independence Day at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017 in this photo released by Antara Foto. From left to right, former President B.J. Habibie, Iriana Joko Widodo, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Mufidah Jusuf Kalla former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Ani Yudhoyono. Antara Foto/Agus Suparto/ via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. MANDATORY CREDIT. INDONESIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN INDONESIA.
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants react as they hold on to a greased pole during the "Panjat Pinang" competition during the celebration of Independence Day at Ancol Dreamland Park in Jakarta, Indonesia August 17, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta
Indonesian Independence Day
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People climb greased poles, on which prizes and flags are attached, to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day in Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on August 17, 2017. Indonesia marked the 72nd anniversary of its independence from Dutch rule on August 17. / AFP / Sonny TUMBELAKA
Indonesian Independence Day
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Participants struggle during a greased-pole climbing competition held as a part of independence day celebration at Ancol Beach in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug 17, 2017. Contestants race up to grab items ranging from buckets to bicycles hanging from the top of the poles as prize. Indonesia is celebrating its 72th anniversary of independence from the Netherlands. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
Indonesian Independence Day
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A participant collects a prize after making it to the top in Panjat Pinang, a pole climbing contest, as part of festivities marking Indonesia's 72nd Independence Day on Ancol beach in Jakarta on August 17, 2017. Panjat Pinang, a tradition dating back to the Dutch colonial days, is one of the most popular traditions for celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day. / AFP / GOH Chai Hin
Updated 17 August 2017
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Indonesian Independence Day

Indonesians are celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the country's Independence on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. (AP/AFP Photo)