Sukarno was born in Surabaya on June 6, 1901 with his real name named Koesno Sosrodihardjo. His father's name was Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo and his mother named Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai, his mother was a member of a noble family in Bali. His parents met in Bali when his father became a school teacher in Bali. Soekarno has an older sister named Sukarmini.

On August 17, 1945, Sukarno and Moh Hatta proclaimed Indonesia's independence from Japanese occupation. The date was then celebrated as the Independence Day of the Indonesian people and Pancasila was the basis of the Indonesian state. This proclamation of independence made Ir. Sukarno along with Mohammad Hatta were appointed as the First President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.