Did you know that every October 28 is celebrated as Youth Pledge Day? On October 28 this year, is the 93rd Youth Pledge Day. And to commemorate it, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia raised the theme “United, Rise and Grow”.
This theme is taken to reaffirm the commitment that has been built by the youth which was pledged in 1928 in the Youth Pledge. That only with unity can we realize the ideals of the nation. This is actually intended for all elements of the nation, but it is important because young people are the pillars of change that can bring Indonesia up from adversity due to the Pandemic and move forward to drive economic growth in Indonesia.
The commemoration of the Youth Pledge Day is a reminder for the Indonesian nation of the history of the struggle of all elements of Indonesian youth who have spread the spirit of maintaining the spirit of patriotism and succeeded in uniting the national vision. Three monumental sentences spelled Van Ophuysen in the Youth Pledge, confirming the spirit to achieve the independence of a nation.
If you look back, the idea of holding the Second Youth Congress came from the Indonesian Student Association (PPPI), a youth organization consisting of students from all over Indonesia. At the initiative of PPPI, the second youth congress was held in three different buildings and divided into three meetings.
The first meeting was held on Saturday, October 27, 1928, at the Katholieke Jongenlingen Bond (KJB) Building, Lapangan Banteng. In his remarks, Soegondo hoped that this congress could strengthen the spirit of unity in the hearts of the youth. The event continued with Moehammad Jamin’s description of the meaning and relationship of unity with youth. According to him, there are five factors that can strengthen the unity of Indonesia, namely history, language, customary law, education, and will.
The second meeting, Sunday, October 28, 1928, at the Oost-Java Bioscoop Building , discussed educational issues. The two speakers, Poernomowoelan and Sarmidi Mangoensarkoro, agreed that children should receive national education, there must also be a balance between education at school and at home. Children also need to be educated in a democratic.
In the next session, Soenario explained the importance of nationalism and democracy in addition to the scouting movement. Meanwhile, Ramelan stated that the scouting movement cannot be separated from the national movement. The scouting movement from an early age educates children to be disciplined and independent, things that are needed in the struggle.
Before the congress closed, the song “Indonesia” by Wage Rudolf Supratman was played. The song was greeted with great fanfare by the congress participants. Congress closed by announcing the formulation of the results of the congress. By the youths present, the formula was pronounced as the Oath of Allegiance, which reads:
FIRST.
WE ARE POETERA AND POETERS OF INDONESIA,
MENGAKOE BERTOEMPAH DARAH JANG SATOE,
INDONESIAN LAND.
KEDOEA .
WE ARE POETERA AND POETERS OF INDONESIA,
ACKNOWLEDGING THE NATION TO SATOE,
INDONESIAN NATION.
THIRD .
WE ARE POETERA AND POETERS OF INDONESIA,
MENDJOENDJOENG BAHASA PERSATOEAN,
INDONESIAN.
Well, that is the history of the birth of the Youth Pledge by young people in 1928. As part of the Indonesian youth, junior high school students can continue the nation’s struggle to achieve the goal of becoming a superior nation in the future by continuing to develop character, improve skills, and enrich innovation in various fields.