Indonesians celebrated their country’s Independence Day on Tuesday with ceremonies, raising of the flag and patriotic festivities.  

Called Tujuhbelas Agustus, or Hari Merdeka, August 17 is the day Indonesia became independent from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. 

Task force officers and medical workers were honored in Jakarta as they saluted the flag in personal protective equipment. 

Indonesian Air Force helicopters carried the flag high above Jakarta, as residents celebrated throughout the country amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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