Events

 

Philippines Independence Day (1898): June 12, 2022 

From history.com, THIS DAY IN HISTORY: June 12, 1898 Philippine independence was declared:

“During the Spanish-American War, Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaim the independence of the Philippines after 300 years of Spanish rule. By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops had ousted the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for independence were dashed when the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of its peace treaty with Spain.”

From the Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook, Philippines:

“The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence.”

Did you know?

October is Filipino American History Month 

Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month. The late Dr. Fred Cordova, along with his wife, FANHS Founder Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, first introduced October as Filipino American History Month in 1992 with a resolution from the FANHS National Board of Trustees. (source: Filipino American National History Society)

Learn more about Filipino American History from these links:

            

May was chosen as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. (source: Asian American Commission)

Learn more about AAPI Heritage Month from these websites:

                             

 

 

San Francisco Public Library - AAPI Heritage Month

Books and events about AAPI Heritage Month for all ages. 


PBS Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Collection of stories that explores the history, traditions and culture of AAPI in the US.


Podcast about Yuri Kochiyama

Remembering the work of this late activist on her fight for equality among all races.


Key Facts About Asian Americans, a Diverse and Growing Population

A recent article about the US Asian population by Pew Research Center.