The Philippine Declaration of Independence was an event on June 12, 1898 in the Philippines wherein the Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War. The declaration, however, has not been recognized by the international community since the American government subsequently bought the Philippine Islands from Spain in the 1898 Treaty of Paris. Despite this, the Philippines regularly celebrates its Independence Day on June 12, eventhough its independence was only recognized on July 4, 1946.

The declaration event

A depiction of the flag that was raised during the declaration. This was the basis for the flag as currently used by the Philippines today.

The declaration was done on June 12, 1898 at the ancestral home of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite, some 30 kilometers south of Manila. The event saw the unfurling of the national flag of the Philippines and the performance of the Marcha Filipina Magdalo, which later became the country's national anthem, Lupang Hinirang.

Surrounding events

The Spanish-American War

Main Article: Spanish-American War

The Malolos Congress

Main Article: Malolos Congress

The Philippine-American War

Main Article: Philippine-American War

See also

• Katipunan
• History of the Philippines