Philippine Independence Day
In 1542 Spain claimed a number of islands in Asia and named them Philippines after Prince Phillip of Spain, who was later to become King Philip II of Spain. From 1542 to 1898 Spain ruled over the Philippines.
It was on June 12, 1898 when the Filipino people as a whole accepted General Emilio Aguinaldo's proclamation of independence that ultimately led to the birth of the Philippines as a nation in the minds and hearts of the people.
The Philippines originally celebrated its Independence Day from USA on July 4. It was former President Macapagal in 1962 who changed the date from July 4 to June 12.
On the first June 12 independence day celebration, the then President said, " In the discharge of my responsibility as President of the Republic, I moved the observance of the anniversary of our independence to this day because a nation is born into freedom on the day when such a people, moulded into a nation by the process of cultural evolution and a sense of oneness, born of common struggle and suffering, announces to the world that it asserts its natural right to liberty and is ready to defend it with blood, life and honor."
Further, it is worthy to note at the age of 93, General Emilio Aguinaldo (the man who declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898) was the guest of honor while the President made the above comments.
