DAY OF FREEDOM

 

               After 300 years of Spanish domination, Filipino insurgents led by Emilio Aguinaldo declare independence from Spain during the Spanish-American War. The Spanish were defeated by Filipino rebels and US soldiers by mid-August, but Aguinaldo's aspirations for independence were shattered when the US legally seized the Philippines as part of its peace accord with Spain.

               During the 16th century, the Philippines became a Spanish colony, and after the Spanish-American War in 1898, they were ceded to the United States. Philippines established a self-governing commonwealth in 1935. After a 10-year transition, Manuel Quezon was chosen president and charged with preparing the country for independence. During World War II, the islands were occupied by the Japanese in 1942, and US soldiers and Filipinos fought together to reclaim sovereignty in 1944-45. The Republic of the Philippines gained independence on July 4, 1946.

 

References:

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/philippines.html#:~:text=From%20history.com%2C%20THIS%20DAY,300%20years%20of%20Spanish%20rule.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/philippine-independence-declared