Understand

Embark on a journey to the eastern half of the captivating island of Timor, where the fascinating history of East Timor unfolds. Once a Portuguese colony, East Timor bravely asserted its independence on 28 November 1975, only to be invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later, with the tacit approval of influential nations such as China, the Soviet Union, and Australia. What followed was a tumultuous two decades of integration, during which countless lives were tragically lost in a campaign of pacification. Nonetheless, the indomitable spirit of the East Timorese triumphed when a popular referendum, supervised by the United Nations, resulted in a resounding vote for independence from Indonesia on 30 August 1999. However, this victory was marred by violence as independence opponents, backed by the Indonesian military, unleashed terror upon the population, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. To restore peace and rebuild the shattered nation, a United Nations peacekeeping force, led by the courageous Australian troops, intervened. Over time, Timor-Leste, as it came to be known, gained international recognition as an independent state on 20 May 2002, under the official name of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. While UN peacekeeping forces have since withdrawn and the East Timorese police and army have taken charge, the legacy of this historical struggle continues to shape the nation.