Philippine Independence: The Immortal Emblem of Humanity
On this day in 1898, the Philippines declared independence after more than 300 years under Spanish rule. Every June 12th, Filipinos celebrate their freedom by flying their national flag high in the sky, just like the one waving in today’s Doodle. While there were many who fought for Filipino independence, there are a few people who are honored and remembered as heroes for their contributions in securing the country’s independence. José Rizal was a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement and inspired a wave of nationalism through his writings. Andrés Bonifacio, “The Father of the Philippine Revolution”, formed a secret society called the Katipunan and led a number of successful campaigns against the Spanish. General Emilio Aguinaldo was another notable figure who fought alongside the United States during the Spanish-American War. It was he who, on June 12, proclaimed the Philippine Republic as an independent country, demanding a “dignified place in the concert...