The Fourth of July in Philippine History
Two significant events happened on the fourth of July in two different countries in two different centuries: the United States of America declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776; the Philippines was granted its independence from the United States in 1946. Two events, 170 years apart, both linked to nationhood.
At present, the fourth of July in the Philippines marks Philippine-American Friendship Day, also known as Republic Day. Why the change of holiday?
On June 12, 1898, the Philippines declared its independence from the Spanish empire. A month prior, the Asiatic squadron of the US Navy led by Commodore George Dewey sailed to Manila bay from Hong Kong and smashed the Spanish Navy led by Admiral Patricio Montojo, securing eventual American victory in the Spanish-American War. Filipino revolutionaries resumed hostilities which led to that historic day that the Filipino people celebrate as their independence day; however, neither the Americans nor the Spaniards recognized this declaration. The transfer of sovereignty over the Philippines from the Spanish empire to the United States was discussed without even hearing the side of the Filipinos. Several months later in 1899, a brutal conflict — the Filipinos saw it as a war while the Americans saw it as an insurrection — broke out that lasted three years between the Filipinos and the Americans. By 1902, the Philippines became an American colony.
Fast forward to 1935, the Philippines became a self ruling Commonwealth while under American rule. It was meant to last for ten years before the Philippines could be an independent nation. After a three year occupation (1942–1945) by the Japanese during World War II, the Philippines was granted its independence on July 4, 1946. By having the same independence day as that of America, it symbolized the strong ties between the two countries.
In 1962, Philippine president Diosdado Macapagal moved the celebration of Philippine independence to June 12 in honor of the original declaration of independence from the Spanish empire; the fourth of July then became Philippine-American Friendship day some two decades later under President Ferdinand Marcos. (The holiday was celebrated in different days as well prior to placing it on the fourth of July.)
The Philippines has and will always have a link with America. We will always celebrate our sovereignty and friendship together as allies.
