The idea of a national monument that is both aesthetically pleasing and historically significant began with Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, in 1950. He envisaged a design that would reflect Indonesia's defining characteristics and one that would last for centuries.

The National Monument Committee that would oversee the design and construction was established on the 17th of August 1954. It held a contest the following year in which Frederich Silaban’s design would be the only one to be considered by the judges. A repeat competition in 1960 would yield the same results.

Despite the Committee’s decision, Sukarno was not satisfied with Silaban’s design, as Sukarno wanted to integrate the Lingga and the Yoni. Silaban was asked to make another design according to Sukarno’s desire but the costs of constructing a monument based on the design would be unfeasible because of the economic conditions of the time. R.M. Soedarsono would later be tasked to continue with the design. Soedarsono incorporated the number 17, 8 and 45 in the structure which would represent the numbers in the Independence Day of Indonesia (17 August 1945).

The official start of the construction was on the 17th of August 1961. Numerous funding problems and coup attempts caused delays in the construction. It would officially open on the 12th of July 1975.