History of Bali in Timeline
Bali is a province of Indonesia, located west of Lombok and east of Java, that includes the island of Bali and several smaller islands. Denpasar, the provincial capital, is the most populous city in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Ubud, located in Greater Denpasar, is considered Bali's cultural center. Bali is Indonesia's main tourist destination, experiencing a significant tourism boom since the 1980s, with tourism-related businesses accounting for 80% of its economy.
1906: Dutch assaults at Sanur and Klungkung
In 1906, the Dutch mounted naval and ground assaults at the Sanur region, leading to mass ritual suicide (puputan) by the Balinese.
1906: Dutch subjugation of Bali
In 1906, the Dutch subjugated and repulsed the natives for economic control of Bali.
1932: Release of "Virgins of Bali"
In 1932, the quasi-pornographic documentary "Virgins of Bali" was released, enhancing Bali's sensuous image and attracting Western tourists.
1937: Last definite record of a tiger
In 1937, the last definite record of a tiger on Bali was recorded.
February 1942: Japanese forces landed near Sanur
In February 1942, Japanese forces landed near the town of Sanur, quickly capturing the island of Bali.
1945: Bali liberated by British forces
In 1945, Bali was liberated by the British 5th Infantry Division, who accepted the Japanese surrender.
December 1949: Netherlands recognized Indonesian independence
In December 1949, Bali was included in the "Republic of the United States of Indonesia" when the Netherlands recognized Indonesian independence.
August 1958: Regencies originally inaugurated
All regencies were originally inaugurated on 9 August 1958.
1963: Mount Agung eruption
The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung caused widespread death, economic destruction, and displacement in Bali.
1965: Suharto maneuvers Sukarno out of presidency
As a result of the 1965 upheavals, Suharto was able to manoeuvre Sukarno out of the presidency.
1999: First free elections in Bali
Since the first free elections in 1999, the province's politics has historically been dominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
2002: Kuta bombing
In 2002, a bombing by militant Islamists in Kuta killed 202 people, predominantly foreigners.
2008: First direct election of Bali's governor
July 9 2008 was the first time in Bali's history where the Governor of Bali election was elected by the people by vote directly.
2010: Environment Ministry report
A 2010 Environment Ministry report gave Bali the highest environmental quality index score of Indonesia's 33 provinces.
April 2011: Survey of sea sites around Bali
From 29 April 2011, a team of scientists surveyed sea sites around Bali and discovered 952 species of reef fish.
2013: Plan to build water facility in Gianyar
In 2013, to ease the water shortage, the central government plans to build a water catchment and processing facility at Petanu River in Gianyar.
March 2017: TripAdvisor names Bali as world's top destination
In March 2017, TripAdvisor named Bali as the world's top destination in its Traveller's Choice award.
November 2017: Mount Agung Eruptions
On 27 November 2017, Mount Agung erupted five times, causing evacuations, air travel disruptions, and environmental damage.
2017: Garbage emergency declared
In 2017, government officials declared a "garbage emergency" in response to plastic waste covering Bali's coastline.
November 2022: G20 Bali summit
On 15–16 November 2022, the 2022 G20 Bali summit, the seventeenth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) was held in Nusa Dua.
2023: Denpasar Population
In mid 2023, Denpasar has a population around 748,400.
