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General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence from Spain on June 12,
Featured Event 1898 Event

June 12

Aguinaldo Declares Philippine Independence: Freedom from Spain

General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, from the window of his home in Kawit, Cavite, while a band played what would become the Philippine national anthem. The declaration came during the Spanish-American War, when Filipino revolutionaries allied with the United States against Spain. The alliance collapsed when the Treaty of Paris transferred the Philippines from Spain to the United States for $20 million. Aguinaldo declared war on the US on February 4, 1899. The Philippine-American War lasted officially until 1902 but guerrilla resistance continued until 1913. An estimated 200,000 to one million Filipino civilians died, mostly from disease and famine. The Philippines did not achieve full independence until July 4, 1946. June 12 is now the Philippine national day.

June 12, 1898

128 years ago

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