Colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, East Timor declared its independence from Portugal on November 28th 1975. 

Independence proved to be very short-lived as Indonesia invaded nine days later and East Timor was declared as a province of Indonesia in 1976. 

The struggle to regain independence began almost immediately and would last until 1999.  

Though definitive figures are hard to come by, The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor estimated a minimum of 102,000 conflict-related deaths during the occupation. The commission estimated that about 18,000 people were killed in the fighting and over 80,000 died from famine and illness. 

The date of the Indonesian invasion, December 6th 1975 was chosen as a day to honour and remember those who perished during the time of the occupation. 

In November 1991, over 250 young people attending a funeral were killed in the Santa Cruz massacre. This event is commemorated on National Youth Day.