On August 30, we celebrate Popular Consultation Day. It is commemorated annually on the same date by East Timorese citizens. This day commemorates the 1999 referendum held in the presence of the United Nations to allow the people of East Timor to choose between greater autonomy within Indonesia or secession to establish a separate nation. The People voted overwhelmingly in favour of separation, and violence and conflicts soon followed. But a new nation was established in accordance with the hopes of its citizens. Let us participate in their festivities.
The background of Popular Consultation Day
East Timor’s specialties include scuba diving through crystal clear depths, observing whales of monstrous size playing on the surface of the water, and admiring breathtaking mountains and attractive white-sand beaches. East Timor is an island nation in Southeast Asia, located in close proximity to Indonesia and sharing a maritime border with Australia. The region’s history begins approximately 42,000 years ago with migrations from modern-day Australia, China, Malaysia, and India. The country’s modern history can be divided into three distinct periods: the Portuguese era, the Indonesian era, and the independent era.
Timor was a part of the Indian and Chinese trading networks prior to colonisation. Traders travel to Timor in search of fragrant sandalwood, honey, and wax. However, these resources also attracted the attention of Europeans, who arrived on the island in 1769 and established outposts. The Portuguese used the territory as a trading post for sandalwood and coffee exports. The Portuguese revolution of 1974 terminated the Portuguese monarchy.
The Portuguese rule was succeeded by an invasion by the Indonesians. The political unrest caused by the decline of the Portuguese and the growing influence of communist ideas in the region troubled Indonesia, which did not like the concept of a communist state within the Indonesian archipelago. The occupation by Indonesia lasted until 1999. It was a time of warfare, political unrest, violence, and barbarism. The new president of Indonesia, B.J. Habibie, consented to the referendum so that the people of Timor could decide for themselves. They were given the option of remaining within Indonesia with increased autonomy or seceding to form East Timor. A new country was formed.
East Timor Independence Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about East Timor
DAY OF CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES
Send greetings
Popular Consultation Day is essentially East Timor’s Independence Day. Send an Independence Day greeting via social media to the citizens of East Timor.
Travel to East Timor
East Timor is a traveler’s and nature lover’s sanctuary. Utilise today to travel to the country.
Upload the emblem of East Timor
The ensign of East Timor symbolises their oppression and struggles. Upload the emblem to your social media accounts to honour their liberty.
5 East Timor facts that you should know
In Indonesian and Malay, Timor signifies ‘East’; thus, the literal translation of the name is “east east.”
East Timor was the first country to achieve independence in the 21st century.
East Timor is one of 27 nations without any UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
East Timor is one of the least visited countries in the globe, with approximately 74,000 visitors per year.
As measured by the prevalence of obesity among adults, East Timor ranks 186th out of 191 countries.
POPULAR CONSULTATION DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 30 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | August 30 | Friday |
| 2025 | August 30 | Saturday |
| 2026 | August 30 | Sunday |
| 2027 | August 30 | Monday |
