Filipino-American Friendship Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Philippines

Filipinos observe Filipino-American Friendship Day annually on July 4 to commemorate their historic alliance with the United States. After the intervention of a third party, the relationship between the two countries transformed from hostile to amicable. Filipinos believe the good they received from the United States eclipses the bad they endured. They chose to honour their friendship with the nation. During World War II, the United States aided the Philippines in their battle against the invading Japanese forces. Now you understand why their friendship is worthy of celebration.

The background of Filipino-American Friendship Day

The commemoration of Filipino-American Friendship Day is the result of more than a century of shared history between the two countries. 1946 could be considered the beginning of a good relationship between the two countries, when the Philippines acquired complete independence from the United States. In recognition of the assistance they received during the Japanese attack, the Philippines’ government declared July 4 Independence Day. It is also American-Filipino Friendship Day. The country gained its independence from Spain many years ago.

President Diosdado Macapagal subsequently moved Independence Day to July 12, and Philippines Republic Day was designated as the new July 4 holiday. Republic Day is, appropriately, also known as Filipino-American Friendship Day. Thus, we can say that the unofficial commemoration of the day began at that time. In 1955, President Ramon Magsaysay issued a proclamation establishing the observance of Philippine American Day in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the Filipinos and the Americans. And in 1984, during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, the Fourth of July was declared a non-working holiday to commemorate Filipino-American Friendship Day. The first official celebration of Filipino-American Friendship Day under its current appellation began in 1984.

In 1987, President Corazón C. Aquino became the Philippines’ first female leader after the overthrow of President Marcos. The day’s non-working holiday status was eliminated. Under the Administrative Code of 1987, a list of special and regular holidays was released, but the Fourth of July was not included. Despite this, the relationship between the Philippines and the United States remains positive. For instance, basketball was introduced to the country during the American occupation, and it now claims Asia’s first basketball league, which is the second-oldest in the world after the NBA.

5 facts about the Philippines that will pique your interest

The Philippines’ flag is the only flag in the world that, depending on how it is flown, can indicate whether the country is at peace or at conflict.

The country’s national bird is the Monkey-Eating Eagle, which does not, in fact, consume monkeys, but rather pigs, snakes, and bats.

The Philippines are home to the world’s longest underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.

Camiguin Island in the Philippines is the only island in the world with more volcanoes than cities.

Philippines houses three of the largest shopping malls in the globe.

FILIPINO-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	July 4	Tuesday
2024	July 4	Thursday
2025	July 4	Friday
2026	July 4	Saturday
2027	July 4	Sunday