Youth Pledge


The Youth Pledge was a declaration made on 28 October 1928 by young Indonesian nationalists in the Second Youth Congress. They proclaimed three ideals; one motherland, one nation and one language.

Background

The first Indonesian youth congress was held in Batavia, capital of the then-Dutch East Indies in 1926. It produced no formal decisions but did promote the idea of a united Indonesia. The idea are Indonesian dream of independence become dream of all Indonesian youth and all youth organization empowered efforts to mobilize youth organizations in one forum.
In October 1928, the second Indonesian youth congress was held at three different locations. In the first session held in Katholike jongenlinen bond building, the hope was expressed that the congress would inspire the feeling of unity. The second session saw discussions about educational issues held in Oost Java Bioscoop building. In the third and final session, held at Jalan Kramat Raya No, 106, on 28 October participants heard the future Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya by Wage Rudolf Supratman played with violin.
The congress closed with a reading of the youth pledge.

The pledge

In Indonesian, with the original spelling, the pledge reads:

Pertama

Kami poetra dan poetri Indonesia, mengakoe bertoempah darah jang satoe, tanah air Indonesia.

Kedoea

Kami poetra dan poetri Indonesia, mengakoe berbangsa jang satoe, bangsa Indonesia.

Ketiga

Kami poetra dan poetri Indonesia, mendjoendjoeng bahasa persatoean, bahasa Indonesia.


In Indonesian with current spelling:

Pertama

Kami putra dan putri Indonesia, mengaku bertumpah darah yang satu, tanah air Indonesia.

Kedua

Kami putra dan putri Indonesia, mengaku berbangsa yang satu, bangsa Indonesia.

Ketiga

Kami putra dan putri Indonesia, menjunjung bahasa persatuan bahasa Indonesia.


In English:

Firstly

We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia.

Secondly

We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation , the nation of Indonesia.

Thirdly

We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, respect the language of unity, Indonesian.

First Congress of Indonesian Youth

As of Presidential Decree No. 316 of 1959 dated December 16, 1959, 28 October became non-holiday national day.