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Okay, raise your hand if you learned about July 4th being Philippine Independence Day way back in elementary school. ๐โโ๏ธ Yep, me too! It can be confusing, right? Letโs unpack this historical puzzle and understand why we celebrateย Philippine Independence Dayย everyย June 12th.
From July 4th to June 12th: A Short History Lesson
You see, our path toย independenceย was a long and winding road. Letโs break it down:
- 1898:ย Remember theย Cry of Pugad Lawin? That brave act kicked off theย Philippine Revolutionย against Spain.
- June 12, 1898:ย This is the important one! This is the date General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence from Spain in Kawit, Cavite. He waved our beautiful flag for the first time! ๐ต๐ญ
- 1899-1902:ย The Philippine-American War happened. ๐ We fought for ourย freedom, but the US ultimately took control.
- July 4, 1946:ย Remember theย Treaty of Manilaย you mentioned? This is when the USย officiallyย recognized ourย independenceย โ after almost 50 years of being under their rule.
So, why the change fromย July 4th? Well, youโre right, President Diosdado Macapagal had something to do with it!
President Macapagalโs Bold Move ๐ช
Many Filipinos felt that celebratingย independenceย onย July 4thย was like celebrating a โfake freedom.โ We were finally free from the US, but it was a reminder of a painful past.
President Macapagal wanted us to remember and honor the true date of ourย independenceย โ the day we declared it ourselves back in 1898! He believed thatย June 12thย was a more accurate and meaningful representation of ourย national identity.
So, in 1962, he issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28, movingย Philippine Independence Dayย fromย July 4thย toย June 12th.
Other Context of the Story
He looked at July 4th and saw a date that celebrated America more than it did the Philippines.
Imagine this: Itโs our supposed Independence Day, but everyoneโs flocking to the American Embassy for the party! Meanwhile, Malacaรฑang Palace is practically a ghost town. ๐ป Talk about awkward!
President Macapagal wasnโt having any of it. He knew that true Philippine Independence deserved its own day, a day solely focused on our victory and our identity as Filipinos. ๐ต๐ญ
So, in 1962, he signed Proclamation No. 28, moving Independence Day to June 12th. But why June 12th, you ask?
More Than Just a Date Change
Changing the date wasnโt just about historical accuracy. It was about:
- National Pride:ย Celebratingย June 12thย reminds us of the courage and sacrifices our ancestors made to fight for a free Philippines. โ
- Self-Determination:ย It emphasizes that ourย independenceย was something we earned, not something that was given to us.
- Moving Forward:ย It marked a new chapter in our history, allowing us to move forward as a trulyย independentย nation.
Celebrating Our Freedom ๐
June 12thย isnโt just another holiday. Itโs a time to:
- Remember Our Heroes:ย Letโs honor the bravery of our national heroes who fought for ourย freedom.
- Reflect on Our History:ย Understanding our past helps us appreciate our present and shape our future.
- Celebrate Our Culture:ย Itโs a day to be proud of being Filipino! Wear your Barong Tagalog or Filipiniana, enjoy some delicious Filipino food, and celebrate with your loved ones.
So, there you have it! Now you know whyย June 12thย holds such a special place in our hearts. Itโs a day to celebrate ourย hard-won independenceย and to remember the true meaning of being Filipino. Mabuhay! ๐ต๐ญ