Early History and Colonization of the Katipunan, which led the armed struggle

Philippines against Spanish rule in 1896.

 Emilio Aguinaldo: Emilio Aguinaldo was
 Who Found the Philippines: The another key figure in the revolution. He
archipelago was first encountered by led Filipino forces against both Spanish
Europeans during Ferdinand Magellan's and American colonizers and was the first
expedition in 1521. He arrived on March president of the Philippines, declaring
16, 1521, which marked the beginning of independence on June 12, 1898.
Spanish interest in the islands. However,  Japanese Occupation: The Philippines
the Philippines had already been inhabited was occupied by Japan during World War
by indigenous peoples for thousands of II, from 1941 to 1945, a brutal period
years before his arrival. marked by widespread suffering and
 Year of Magellan's Arrival: 1521. resistance.
 The Name of the Philippines: Magellan's
arrival marked the beginning of Spanish People Power Revolution
colonization, and the islands were
eventually named "Las Islas Filipinas" in  Ferdinand Marcos: Ferdinand Marcos
honor of King Philip II of Spain. ruled the Philippines as a dictator for much
 First Religion Introduced: Christianity, of his presidency (1965–1986), declaring
particularly Roman Catholicism, was martial law in 1972. His regime was
introduced by the Spanish after Magellan's marked by human rights abuses and
arrival. This remains the dominant religion corruption.
in the country.  Corazon Aquino: In 1986, the People
 Islam in the Philippines: Islam had Power Revolution ousted Ferdinand
already been introduced to the Philippines Marcos and brought Corazon Aquino, the
before the arrival of the Spanish, around widow of assassinated opposition leader
the 13th century, by Arab traders and Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., to the
missionaries, especially in the southern presidency. Aquino became the first
islands such as Mindanao. female president of the Philippines.

Spanish and American Colonization Educational Landmarks

 Spanish Colonization: The Spanish  Oldest Universities: The Philippines is

established their rule over the Philippines home to some of the oldest universities in
in the 16th century, leading to more than Asia. The University of Santo Tomas,
300 years of colonial rule. The Philippines founded in 1611, is one of the oldest
became an important outpost for spreading existing universities in the world.
Christianity in Asia.
 Cebu City: The first Spanish settlement Primary and Secondary Sources in
was established in Cebu City by Miguel History
López de Legazpi in 1565.
 American Colonization: Following the  Primary Sources: These are first-hand
Spanish-American War in 1898, Spain accounts or direct evidence about
ceded the Philippines to the United States. historical events. In the context of
The Philippines remained under U.S. Philippine history, primary sources could
colonial rule until 1946, when it gained include documents like the original texts
independence. of the Malolos Constitution, speeches by
revolutionaries, or eyewitness accounts
Revolution and Independence from the People Power Revolution.
 Secondary Sources: These interpret and
 Father of the Philippine Revolution: analyze primary sources. History books,
Andrés Bonifacio is widely regarded as the academic papers, and documentaries about
father of the Philippine Revolution. He the Philippines would be considered
founded the revolutionary group, the secondary sources as they provide
 commentary and analysis of historical Post-People Power Era
events.
After the People Power Revolution, Corazon
Post-War Reconstruction and Aquino's administration faced many challenges,
Independence including multiple coup attempts, economic
issues, and the recovery of ill-gotten wealth stolen
The Philippines became officially independent on during the Marcos regime.
July 4, 1946, with Manuel Roxas as its first
president. Post-war reconstruction was a  1992 Presidential Election: The peaceful
significant challenge, as Manila was one of the transition to Fidel V. Ramos in 1992
most devastated cities in the world due to the marked a significant step toward
Battle of Manila in 1945. strengthening democracy in the
Philippines. Ramos' presidency focused on
 Hukbalahap Rebellion: After World War national stability, economic reforms, and
II, the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan peace talks with rebel groups.
Laban sa Hapon) guerrillas, who had
fought against the Japanese, began a Modern-Day Philippines
rebellion against the new Philippine
government. They were mainly fighting  EDSA II (2001): A second People Power
for land reforms and workers' rights. The revolution, EDSA II, occurred in 2001,
rebellion lasted until the mid-1950s. leading to the ousting of Joseph Estrada
after accusations of corruption. He was
Martial Law and Human Rights replaced by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
Violations (1972-1981) who served until 2010.
 Contemporary Issues: Recent years have
Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on seen various challenges, including political
September 21, 1972, citing the threat of shifts, social issues such as poverty, and
communism and rebellion as reasons. However, environmental concerns. Presidents such
many historians argue it was a way to maintain his as Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022) and his
power and suppress opposition. policies, like the controversial war on
drugs, continue to shape the country's
 Economic Boom and Debt Crisis: While modern history.
the early years of Marcos' presidency saw
infrastructure development, the country
plunged into massive foreign debt by the
1980s, leading to economic decline.
 Human Rights Abuses: Thousands of
activists, journalists, and opposition
members were arrested, tortured, or killed
during Marcos' martial law regime. The
declaration of martial law also led to the
suppression of press freedom.

The Aquino Assassination (1983)

The assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino

Jr. in 1983 sparked widespread outrage and
became a catalyst for the People Power
Revolution. Aquino, a staunch critic of Marcos,
was shot upon his return from exile in the United
States. His death fueled protests and opposition to
the Marcos dictatorship.
Pre-Colonial Era Philippines. Filipino and American forces
fought to liberate the country.
 900 AD – Laguna Copperplate
Inscription: The earliest known written Post-War Independence and Republic
document in the Philippines, showing Era
trade and a political system before Spanish
colonization.  July 4, 1946 – Philippine Independence
from the United States: The Philippines
Spanish Colonization (1565–1898) was granted full sovereignty after World
War II.
 1521 – Arrival of Ferdinand Magellan:  1946–1954 – Hukbalahap Rebellion: A
Ferdinand Magellan landed in the communist-led rebellion against the
Philippines, beginning Spanish interest in Philippine government fought for land
the archipelago. reforms but was eventually suppressed.
 1565 – Establishment of Spanish Rule:
Miguel López de Legazpi founded the first The Marcos Era and Martial Law (1965–
Spanish settlement in Cebu, marking the 1986)
beginning of Spanish colonization.
 1571 – Founding of Manila: Manila  1972 – Declaration of Martial Law:
became the capital of the Spanish President Ferdinand Marcos declared
Philippines, centralizing colonial martial law, beginning a period of
administration and trade. authoritarian rule marked by human rights
 1872 – The Cavite Mutiny: A revolt by abuses, economic decline, and political
Filipino soldiers led to the execution of the repression.
Gomburza priests, sparking nationalist  1981 – Lifting of Martial Law: Though
movements. martial law officially ended, Marcos
 1896 – Philippine Revolution: Andrés retained significant power until 1986.
Bonifacio and the Katipunan launched an  1983 – Assassination of Benigno
armed revolt against Spanish rule, igniting "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.: The assassination of
the Philippine Revolution. opposition leader Ninoy Aquino
galvanized opposition to the Marcos
Philippine Revolution and Spanish- regime.
American War (1896–1898)
People Power Revolution and Democratic
 June 12, 1898 – Philippine Transition (1986)
Independence: Emilio Aguinaldo declared
independence from Spain in Kawit, Cavite.  February 22–25, 1986 – EDSA People
 1898 – Treaty of Paris: The Philippines Power Revolution: Millions of Filipinos
was ceded by Spain to the United States gathered in peaceful protests, leading to
after Spain's defeat in the Spanish- the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos and the
American War. installation of Corazon Aquino as
president, restoring democracy.
American Colonial Period (1898–1946)
Contemporary Period
 1899–1902 – Philippine-American War:
Filipinos resisted U.S. colonization in a  1991 – Mount Pinatubo Eruption: One
bloody conflict, but were eventually of the most powerful volcanic eruptions of
subdued by American forces. the 20th century devastated parts of Luzon.
 1935 – Establishment of the  2001 – EDSA II: Another peaceful
Commonwealth of the Philippines: The revolution led to the ousting of President
Philippines was granted a transitional Joseph Estrada over corruption charges
government under U.S. rule, preparing for and the rise of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
full independence.
 1941–1945 – Japanese Occupation:
During World War II, Japan occupied the
 2012 – Scarborough Shoal Standoff: A
tense territorial dispute with China over
areas in the South China Sea.
 2016–2022 – Duterte's War on Drugs:
President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial
campaign resulted in thousands of deaths
and international criticism over human
rights abuses.