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Jan 1, 1561
First Conquest
The first European settlements in the Philippines were formed when Miguel López de Legazpi arrived from Mexico. With just 5 ships and 500 men accompanied by Augustinian monks, the Spanish were able to start the foundations of their colonization. -
Memoria de las Ecomiendas
This year marked the growth of Spanish colonialism in the Philippines. The Spanish built cathedrals and monasteries, celebrating the progress of the spread of Christianity they have brought into the Philippines. -
University of Santo Tómas
The University of Santo Tómas was founded on this day. The university did not just offer religious, but also science, history, and math courses. Education played a crucial role in the socioeconomic transformation of the Philippines. -
British Invasion
The British had already declared war on Spain. Their troops sailed into Manila Bay from India, and then on October 4th, Manila fell to the British. Two years later though, they ended their occupation there, leaving Spain in control of the Philippines again. -
Economic Boom
The Banco Español-Filipino de Isabel II, the first bank of the Philippines, was established on this day to attend to the needs of the sudden economic boom. Under Spanish rule, the people of the Philippines’ standard of living was better than its neighboring Asian countries and even some European countries. -
Education Decree
On this day, Queen Isabella II of Spain established the Education Decree, which was a free public school system that taught Spanish as the main language, education many Filipinos. This also opened up opportunities for Filipinos to travel to Europe to study. -
Philippine Revolution
This is the start of the Philippines’ Revolution against Spanish war. Revolutionary opinions arose some years ago when three Filipino priests were accused of munity and executed. Along with that, José Rizal, a highly acclaimed intellectual, wrote novels that were inspiring Filipinos for movements of independence. -
First Philippine Republic
Emilio Aguinaldo, a revolutionary leader, agreed to help the Americans. He declared the independence of parts of the Philippines, establishing the First Philippine Republic under Asia’s first democratic constitution. After this though, the Philippines were handed over to the US. -
Philippine-American War
After the Philippine Revolution, the Philippines were out of Spanish rule, but under American rule. On this day, two American patrols killed three Filipino soldiers, and this sparked the Philippine-American War. Emilio Aguinaldo tried to drive back US troops. -
US Rule
Aguinaldo was captured and brought to Manila. He signed a proclamation swearing allegiance to the US and ending the war. After that, the US was officially in control of the Philippines. -
Establishment of the Commonwealth
The Tydings-McDuffie Act in the United States was passed, leading to the establishment of the commonwealth in the Philippines. On this day, the commonwealth government was inaugurated, bringing the Philippines a ten-year transition to complete independence. -
Japanese Invasion
Japan launched a surprise attack in Pampanga in the Philippines, ten hours after bombing Pear Harbor. Two weeks later, they invaded and only ended their occupation at the end of World War II. -
Independent Republic
On this day, the US ended rule over the Philippines, with Manuel Roxas as the first president of the Independent Republic of the Philippines. Even with the end of the US’s sovereignty, they sustained a military presence there, and the Philippines still relied greatly on US markets. -
Martial Law
Ferdinand Marcos, the president at that time, declared martial law on this day. Marcos arrested opposition leaders and militant activists. He claimed that the creation of the martial law was the beginning of a “New Society.” Although crime rates plunged at first, the new law wouldn't last long. -
Power People Revolution
In the past years, Marcos committed corruption and nepotism that contributed to the decline in development and economic growth. On this day, the People Power Revolution, with support from the US delegation, forced Marcos into exile, and made Corazon Aquino, widow of Marcos’s opposition, president.
