Timeline of Important Events in the Philippines

Name / Date Description Image

"Discovery" of Ferdinand Magellan explores the islands
the Philippine now known as the Philippines.
(1521) Magellan's discovery of the island was
made during a Spanish expedition
around the globe. He landed on the
island of Cebu. He names the islands
and names them: Archipelago of San
Lazaro

Ruy Lopez de Spanish expedition commandeered by

Villalobos Ruy Lopez de Villalobos claims the
expedition to the islands for Spain; names them
Philippines (1 "Philippines" after Prince Philip, later
Nov 1542) King Philip II of Spain; the Philippines
becomes part of Spanish Empire.

Cebu City The first Spanish settlement is

Established (April established in Cebu city.
1565)

British Invasion Britain declared war on Spain in

of the Philippines September as a result British forces
(1762) invade Manila on October 4th, 1762.
British settlement in the Philippines was
short lived due to the resistance to
British forces throughout the islands. An
armistice was signed between Britain
and Spain and the control of Manila
return to Spain on April 1764.
Formation of the The Katipunan is an extremely
Katipunan (1892) important group in Philippine history.
The Katipunan is a revolutionary group
inspired by many novels and is
responsible for the Philippine revolution
in 1896. Four days later after the
Katipunan was formed, they disbanded
and were exiled to remote Philippine
islands. They eventually reunited.

Revolt in the Civil and armed campaign for

Philippines independence from Spanish rule begins.
(August 1896) Katipuneros tear their cedulas & shout
in contempt of the Spaniards in what is
called the Cry of Pugadlawin.

Spanish- American warship Maine was blown up

American war in Havana harbor, triggers the Spanish-
broke out (April American war, the battle of Manila Bay
1898) ensues.

The Philippine- Treaty of Paris ends Spanish-American

American War (4 War, cedes Philippines to U.S after
Feb. 1899) payment to Spain by U.S. of $ 20
million. Filipinos declare their
independence; Emilio Aguinaldo leads
guerrilla war against U.S.
 Cooper Act United States Congressman Henry Allen
(1902) Cooper sponsored the Philippine Bill of
1902, also known as the Cooper Act.
The bill proposed the creation and
administration of a civil government in
the Philippines. President Theodore
Roosevelt signed it into law in July 2,
1902.

Commonwealth Set up to aid the new Filipino

Constitution government in making decisions. A
(1935) large step for the Independence and self-
ruling of the Philippines.

Japan attacks the Japanese invades the Philippines, and

Philippines defeats Gen. Douglas MacArthur at
(1941-42) Bataan and Corregidor; Quezon
establishes government in exile in the
U.S.

Philippine The Philippine Executive Commission

Executive or PEC was established on January of
Commission 1942 with Jorge B. Vargas as its first
(1942) Chairman. The PEC was created as the
temporary caretaker government of the
Greater Manila area and eventually of
the whole Philippines during the
Japanese occupation of the country
during World War II.
 Philippines' Philippines becomes independent
Independence nation; Manuel Roxas y Acua elected
(1946) first president The Philippine Island are
granted full independent by the United
States as well as changed their name to
the Republic of the Philippines.