The Philippines’ history is rich and colorful history and mirrors its culture and heritage. The first Filipinos were believed to arrive around 30,00 years ago during the last Ice Age via land bridges. In any introduction to the history of the Philippines, it is important to remember that prior to European contact, a thriving kingdom, such as the Sultanate of Sulu, was already in existence and conducted trade with nearby states such as China and Sultanate of Brunei.

On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan established the first European contact with the Philippines. Spanish colonization began with the arrival of Miguel López de Legazpi's expedition in 1565 and permanent settlement on the island of Cebu, and more settlements continued northward reaching the bay of Manila on the island of Luzon in 1571. In Manila, they established a new town and thus began an era of Spanish colonization that lasted for more than three centuries.

A significant period of its history, Philippines was ruled as a territory of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and administered from Mexico City, Mexico from 1565 to 1821, and administered directly from Madrid, Spain from 1821. Spanish rule brought political unification to an archipelago of previously independent islands and communities that later became the Philippines. During the Spanish period numerous towns were founded, infrastructures built, new crops and livestock introduced, and trade flourished. Spanish missionaries converted most of the population to Christianity and founded schools, universities and hospitals across the islands.

The Philippine Revolution against Spain began in April 1896, culminating two years later with a proclamation of independence and the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. However, the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Spanish-American War, transferred control of the Philippines to the United States. This agreement was not recognized by the Philippine Government which, on June 2, 1899, proclaimed a Declaration of War against the United States. The ensuing Philippine-American War resulted in massive casualties and was declared over in 1902, but hostilities continued until 1913.
U.S. colonial rule of the Philippines’ history started in 1905 with very limited local rule. Commonwealth status was granted in 1935, preparatory to a planned full independence from the United States in 1946. Preparation for a fully sovereign state was interrupted by the Japanese occupation of the islands during World War II.

With a promising economy in the 1950s and 1960s, the Philippines in the late 1960s and early 1970s saw a rise of student activism and civil unrest against the corrupt dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law in 1972. The peaceful and bloodless People Power Revolution of 1986, however, brought about the ousting of Marcos and a return to democracy for the country. Recently, the country has been experiencing intermittent cycles of growth.
 We hope you’ve learned more about the history of the Philippines. Join us today for more information regarding the unique culture, attractions and history Philippines has to offer.