Top stories of the past 100 years

By Bong Barrameda
1898
June 12. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaims Philippine independence from Spain in Kawit, Cavite.
August 13. The United States and Spain stage mock "Battle and Fall of Manila." US flag raised for first time in the Philippines.
August 14. Gen. Wesley Merritt becomes first US military governor-general of the Philippines.
September 15. The Malolos Congress convenes at the Barasoain Church.
December 10. The United States buys Philippines for $20 million from Spain in the Treaty of Paris.

1899
January 23. The First Philippine Republic is inaugurated in Malolos; Aguinaldo takes oath as President.
February 4. Filipino-American War breaks out.
June 5. Gen. Antonio Luna is assassinated by Aguinaldo's bodyguards in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
December 2. Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest Filipino General, is killed by US troops in the Battle of Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur.
Clarke's, first ice cream parlor in Philippines, opens in Plaza Moraga, Sta. Cruz, Manila

1901
March 23. Aguinaldo is captured by US troops in Palanan, Isabela.
July 4. William H. Taft is appointed first US civil governor-general of the Philippines.
August 23. Six hundred Thomasites, first US teachers to Filipinos, arrive in Manila.
September 29. Balangiga Massacre carried out by US troops in Samar in retaliation for attack by revolutionaries.
Cayetano Arellano becomes first Filipino chief justice; Manila-Dagupan Railroad, country's first railway system, inaugurated; first automobile in the Philippines, a "Richard," brought in by La Estrella del Norte.

1902
February 2. Union Obrera Democratica, first labor union in the Philippines, established in Manila by Isabelo de los Reyes.
July 1. US Congress passes Philippine Bill of 1902 providing, among others, for the creation of an elective Philippine Assembly as the lower house of the legislature.
July 4. US President Theodore Roosevelt declares Philippine "insurrection" over and offers amnesty to those who surrender. Resistance continues in many areas.
October 17. Religious schism: Gregorio Aglipay establishes Philippine Independence Church with him as supreme bishop.

1903
March 2. First Philippine census under US regime conducted.

1905
Electric streetcars (tranvias) are set up in Manila; basketball is introduced by American PE teacher Elwood Brown at YMCA in Manila; US telephone system is installed in Manila.

1907
October 16. The first Philippine Assembly convenes at Grand Opera House on Plaza Cervantes in Manila. Sergio Osmeña is elected speaker; Manuel L. Quezon majority floor leader.

1908
June 18. University of the Philippines is established in Manila.
Juan de la Cruz, cartoon symbol of Pinoy, is introduced in the weekly Philippines Free Press.
"Zarzuela" star Maria Carpena becomes the first Filipino recording artist.

1911
January 30. Taal Volcano erupts, killing 1,300.
First electric frying pan brought in by Westinghouse.

1912
"La Vida de Rizal," first locally produced film, released.

1913
December 30. The Rizal Monument is unveiled at Luneta.

1914
July 27. Felix Manalo founds Iglesia ni Cristo.

1916
August 29. US Congress passes Jones Law of 1916, promising to grant the Philippines independence "as soon as stable government is established." The law establishes elective 24-man Senate as upper house; Philippine Assembly, renamed House of Representatives, becomes lower house.
October 16. Manuel L. Quezon is elected Senate president, Sergio Osmeña speaker of the House.

1919
Dalagang Bukid," first full-length Filipino film, is produced by Jose Nepomuceno.

1920
August 8. The Philippines Herald, first Filipino daily newspaper in English, founded in Manila. It becomes Quezon's mouthpiece.

1922
The first radio station in the Philippines is set up by Henry Hermann in Pasay.

1923
June 18. Pancho Villa becomes first Filipino and Asian world boxing champion.

1924
The Philippines joins the Olympics for the first time in Paris.

1925
Filipino diva Jovita Fuentes captivates Europe through "Madame Butterfly" in Italy.
Severino Reyes introduces "Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" in Liwayway magazine.

1928
Teofilo Yldefonso, the "Ilocano Shark," wins first RP Olympic medal (bronze) in swimming at Amsterdam Games.
Constancio de Guzman composes "Bayan Ko," with lyrics by Jose Corazon de Jesus.

1929
"Kenkoy," first Filipino comics character, is born in Liwayway magazine.

1934
March 24. The US Congress passes Tydings-McDuffie Law, providing 10-year transition period from a Commonwealth government to an independent one, prior to which the Filipinos must draft a constitution to be approved by the US president.
July 10. 202 delegates are elected to the Constitutional Convention.

1935
May 14. Despite Sakdalista uprising the Philippine Constitution is ratified by the Filipinos in a plebiscite.
November 15. Quezon and Osmeña are sworn in as president and vice president of the Commonwealth government.
November 25. PanAm China Clipper, first trans-Pacific plane, lands in Manila.

1936
RP basketball team places fifth in Berlin Olympics; the Philippines issues world's first basketball stamp.

1937
April 30. In a plebiscite, Filipino women win right to vote under the Commonwealth.
December 30. Quezon proclaims Tagalog as the basis of the national language.

1939
May 5. National Assembly decides to transfer main UP campus from Manila to Diliman in what would eventually be Quezon City.

1941
December 8. Japanese planes attack Manila, Baguio, Davao and Clark Field in Pampanga following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
December 22. Main Japanese imperial force lands in Lingayen Gulf, Pangasinan.
December 24. Quezon, Osmeña and Gen. Douglas MacArthur abandon Manila and leave for Corregidor.
December 26. MacArthur declares Manila open city to Japanese troops.

1942
March 17. MacArthur makes "I shall return" promise as he escapes to Australia.
March 29. Hukbalahap movement established by Luis Taruc in Central Luzon.
April 9. Following fall of Bataan, Filipino-American prisoners begin Death March to San Fernando, Pampanga; Sgt. Jose Calugas becomes 1st Filipino to win US Congressional Medal of Honor.
May 6. Fall of Corregidor.
Jose Garcia Villa's "Have Come Am Here" poem collection published in United States.
Carlos P. Romulo wins Pulitzer Prize for reporting on e<CLEADING 9.6>vents in Asia leading to World War II.

1943
October 14. Jose P. Laurel becomes president of Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic.
November 15. While in exile in the United States, Quezon takes oath for extended term as Commonwealth president.

1944
August 1. Quezon dies in New York, of tuberculosis. Osmeña assumes presidency of Commonwealth government-in-exile.
October 20. MacArthur redeems promise to return after victorious Battle of Leyte Gulf, considered the greatest naval battle in world history.

1945
February 3. MacArthur forces enter <CLEADING 9.6>Manila and battle Japanese forces in street fighting that rages for three weeks.
June 26. The Philippines becomes founding member of the United Nations.
August 15. Japan surrenders to the United States, ending war in Pacific.
September 3. General Tomoyuki Yamashita comes down from his mountain in the Cordilleras and signs document of surrender of Japanese forces in the Philippines.

1946
February 26. Yamashita is hanged in Los Baños, Laguna, for war crimes.
May 28. Manuel A. Roxas becomes first president of 3rd Philippine Republic.
July 4. Philippine independence from United States is proclaimed.

1947
March 14. RP-US Military Bases Agreement signed granting the United States right to retain military facilities for 99 years.

1948
April 15. Roxas dies of heart attack; Vice President Elpidio Quirino succeeds him.

1949
November 8. Elpidio Quirino re-elected president.

1950
September 1. Quirino appoints Congressman Ramon Magsaysay secretary of national defense to stop Huk rebellion.

1953

• December 30. Magsaysay becomes seventh Philippine president.

1954

• September 8. Southeast Asia Treaty Organization born in Manila. 
• December 15. Laurel-Langley Agreement signed. 
• Philippines wins third place in World Basketball Championship in Brazil.
• Joseph Estrada makes film debut in "Kandilang Bakal."

1957

• March 17. Magsaysay dies in Cebu plane crash; Vice President Carlos Garcia succeeds him.

1960

• March 16. Gabriel "Flash" Elorde becomes world boxing champion at inauguration of Araneta Coliseum.

1961

• November 14. Diosdado Macapagal becomes ninth Philippine president.

1962

• May 12. Macapagal changes Independence Day from July 4 to June 12.
• Joseph Estrada becomes box-office action star in "Asiong Salonga."
• Mona Sulaiman becomes Asia's fastest woman at Jakarta Asian Games.

1964

• February 6. Anthony Villanueva wins boxing silver medal at 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

1965

• November 9. Ferdinand Marcos becomes 10th Philippine president.
• Gemma Cruz wins Miss International title in Long Beach, California. 
• September 28. Taal Volcano erupts, kills 2,000.

1966

• July 4. Beatles perform in Manila.

1967

• August 8. The Philippines becomes one of the founding members of Asean.

1968

• December 26. Jose Ma. Sison establishes Communist Party of Philippines. 
• May. Nur Misuari establishes Moro National Liberation Front following Jabidah Massacre.

1969

• March 29. Sison and Bernabe Buscayno organize New People's Army. 
• July 30. Gloria Diaz becomes first Filipina to win Miss Universe pageant.<B
• November 11. Marcos wins reelection.

1970

• January 30. First Quarter Storm: 4 students killed in clash with Marcos troops at Malacañang. 
• November 26. Pope Paul VI visits Manila, survives slay try by Bolivian painter Benjamin Mendoza.

1971

• August 21. Plaza Miranda bombing at Liberal Party rally; Marcos suspends writ of habeas corpus.

1972

• September 21. Marcos signs Proclamation 1081 placing entire country under martial law; thousands arrested including opposition leader Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.

1973

• January 17. Marcos announces ratification of 1972 Constitution.
• July 22. Margarita Moran becomes second Filipina to win Miss Universe pageant.
• Octobrt 29. Cecilia Munoz-Palma becomes first female Supreme Court justice. 
• November 12. National gasoline rationing starts due to Mideast crisis.

1974

• January 25. Msgr. Jaime Sin becomes Manila archbishop. 
• June 27. Eugene Torre becomes Asia's first grandmaster at Chess Olympiad in Nice, France.

1975

• October 1. Muhammad Ali beats Joe Frazier in "Thrilla in Manila" heavyweight fight at Araneta Coliseum.

1976

• August 17. Earthquake, tidal wave kill 8,000 in Mindanao.
• August 26. NPA chief Bernabe Buscayno, alias Kumander Dante, captured.
• Paeng Nepomuceno wins his first Bowling World Cup in Teheran, Iran.

1977

• November 10. CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison captured in Pangasinan.

1978

• April 8. Elections held for Interim Batasang Pambansa; noise barrage held on the eve in support of opposition.

1980

• May 8. Aquino is freed from jail for heart surgery in the United States.

1981

• January 17. Marcos lifts martial law; repression continues. 
• February 17. Pope John Paul II visits the Philippines to beatify Lorenzo Ruiz. 
• June 16. Marcos wins another six-year term in mock elections against Alejo Santos and Bartolome Cabangbang. 

1982

• November 11. Lydia de Vega is crowned Asia's fastest woman at New Delhi Asian Games.

1983

• August 21. Aquino is assassinated at Manila International Airport, sparking massive protests against Marcos dictatorship.

1984

• May 14. Elections for Batasang Pambansa; opposition wins 53 of 183 seats.
• August 19. Brother Mike Velarde establishes El Shaddai movement.
• December 1. LRT begins run from Baclaran to Manila City Hall.

1985

• November 3. Marcos announces snap presidential election.
• December 3. Corazon Aquino declares candidacy for president.
• December 9. Philippine Daily Inquirer is born .

1986

• February 7. Snap presidential election: Comelec says Marcos ahead; Namfrel says Aquino leading. 
• February 22. Edsa Revolution begins.
• February 25. Cory Aquino takes oath of office as 11th Philippine president; Marcos and family flee to Hawaii.

1987
January 22. 11 protesters killed in Mendiola Massacre.
February 2. New Philippine Constitution ratified.
August 28. Col. Gregorio Honasan leads RAM coup attempt.
October 8. Lorenzo Ruiz becomes first Filipino saint.
December 10. Honasan captured in Valle Verde, Pasig.
December 20. MV Doña Paz collides with MT Vector, killing more than 1,000 in world's worst peacetime maritime disaster.

1988
October 31. Imelda Marcos arraigned in NewYork on racketeering charges.

1989

• September 28. Marcos dies in Hawaii.
• December 1. Bloody coup attempt launched against President Aquino.
• Lea Salonga stars in "Miss Saigon" musical.

1990

• July 16. Big earthquake rocks 23 provinces; more than 1,200 dead.
• November. Typhoon Ruping ravages Mindanao and Visayas.

1991

• June 9. Mt. Pinatubo, dormant for 450 years, begins erupting. 
• September 16. Senate rejects new bases agreement with United States.
• November 8. Typhoon Uring ravages Ormoc; 5,000 dead.

1992

• January 15. Pag-asa, first Philippine eagle hatched in captivity, is born at the eagle center in Malagos, Davao.
• September 18. Zamboanga City stripped of World Little League baseball title.
• June 30. Fidel V. Ramos becomes 12th Philippine president.

1993

• September 10. Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez charged with rape-slay of Aileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez; later sentenced to two life terms.

1994

• June 28. Frank Sinatra starts four-day concert in Manila.

1995

• January 12-16. Pope John Paul II visits Manila again.
• April 4. Moro rebels sack Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur; at least 55 killed.
• March 8. First lotto draw held with P3 million jackpot. 
• December. Efren "Bata" Reyes named world's No. 1 billiards player.

1996
January 25. Emilio Advincula returns P2 million in cash and valuables left in his cab by woman "balikbayan."
March 17. Flor Contemplacion hanged in Singapore, straining Philippine-Singapore relation.
August. Onyok Velasco wins boxing silver at Atlanta Olympics.
November. The Philippines hosts Apec meeting at Subic.

1997

• July. Peso tumbles in wake of Asian currency crisis.

1998