Today, 4 July, we commemorate Republic Day on the 79th anniversary of the inauguration of the Third Philippine Republic in 1947. Also known as Philippine-American Friendship Day, this historic date marks the final lowering of the United States flag over the Philippines — and the proud, solitary rise of the Philippine flag as a symbol of full sovereignty.
The United States formally recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946, deliberately aligning it with U.S. Independence Day. This act marked the official end of American colonial rule in the Philippines. The recognition was formalized through the Treaty of Manila and President Harry S. Truman’s Proclamation No. 2695.
At exactly noon on that day, the Philippine flag was raised alone for the first time since the fall of the First Philippine Republic in 1901. It was a moment of long-awaited national triumph — the Philippines stood acknowledged by the international community as a free, independent republic.
While July 4 was originally celebrated as Philippine Independence Day, this was later changed to June 12 in 1962 to honor Emilio Aguinaldo’s 1898 declaration of independence from Spain. Today, July 4 is remembered as Republic Day and Philippine-American Friendship Day, commemorating both our sovereignty and the enduring ties between the Philippines and the United States.
To reflect on this pivotal moment in our history, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) — through the now-defunct National Quincentennial Committee — produced a short video narrating the stirring words of the Blue Book of the Republic, published in 1947.
Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16iooExhJF/
As we mark this anniversary, may we continue to remember our journey to nationhood, honor the heroes who fought for our freedom, and work together to build a stronger, more unified Philippines.
Mabuhay ang Kalayaan! Mabuhay ang Republika ng Pilipinas!
