History of Philippines in Timeline
The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia situated in the western Pacific Ocean. It comprises 7,641 islands, spanning approximately 300,000 square kilometers, and is geographically divided into Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With a population exceeding 112 million, it ranks as the world's fourteenth most populous country.
1900: Forest Cover
In 1900, forest cover was 70 percent of the Philippines' total land area.
1902: American Civilian Government Established
In 1902, after the fall of the First Philippine Republic, an American civilian government was established with the Philippine Organic Act.
1911: Wettest Recorded Typhoon
From July 14 to 18, 1911, the wettest recorded typhoon to hit the Philippines dropped 2,210 millimeters of rain in Baguio.
1919: Release of the first Filipino-produced feature film
In 1919, the first Filipino-produced feature film, Dalagang Bukid (A Girl from the Country), directed by Jose Nepomuceno, was released.
1924: Participation in Summer Olympic Games
Since 1924, the Philippines has participated in every Summer Olympic Games, with one exception.
1933: Emergence of sound films and larger productions
In 1933, sound films and larger productions emerged in the Philippine film industry.
1934: Tydings–McDuffie Act Granted
In 1934, the Tydings–McDuffie Act granted a ten-year transition to independence through the creation of the Commonwealth of the Philippines the following year.
1935: Commonwealth of the Philippines Created
In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was created, with Manuel Quezon as president and Sergio Osmeña as vice president.
1935: Republic of the Philippines
In 1935, the official title "Republic of the Philippines" was included in the constitution as the name of the future independent state.
1942: Japanese Occupation
Beginning in 1942, the Japanese occupation of the Philippines was opposed by large-scale underground guerrilla activity.
1944: Defeat of the Japanese
In 1944, the Philippine resistance and Allied troops defeated the Japanese.
October 11, 1945: Philippines founding member of the UN
On October 11, 1945, the Philippines became a founding member of the United Nations.
July 4, 1946: Recognition of Independence
On July 4, 1946, during the presidency of Manuel Roxas, the country's independence was recognized by the United States with the Treaty of Manila.
1946: Independence
In 1946, after the United States retook the Philippines from the Japanese, the Philippines became independent.
1946: Women's Suffrage Introduced
The introduction of women's suffrage during the Commonwealth period (1935–1946) signifies a progressive step towards gender equality in the Philippines. This gave women the right to vote and participate in the country's political processes.
1948: Philippine population at 19 million
In 1948, the population of the Philippines was 19 million.
1951: Mutual Defense Treaty signed with the United States
In 1951, the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States was signed, marking a significant moment in their long-standing relationship.
1962: Start of decline in quality films
The 1962 decade saw a decline in quality films.
1963: Establishment of science high schools
In 1963, science high schools for talented students were established in the Philippines.
1965: Marcos Elected President
In 1965, Macapagal lost the presidential election to Ferdinand Marcos.
1967: Philippines becomes largest global supplier of nurses
Since 1967, the Philippines has become the largest global supplier of nurses; seventy percent of nursing graduates go overseas to work.
1969: Marcos Reelected
In 1969, Ferdinand Marcos was reelected as president.
1971: End of decline in quality films
The 1971 decade saw a decline in quality films.
September 21, 1972: Declaration of Martial Law
On September 21, 1972, Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, initiating a period of political repression, censorship, and human rights violations.
1972: Debut at the Winter Olympic Games
In 1972, the Philippines debuted at the Winter Olympic Games, becoming the first tropical nation to compete.
1972: Martial Law
In 1972, the Philippines experienced a period of martial law under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
1973: Plans to harness nuclear energy began
In 1973, Plans to harness nuclear energy began during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in response to the 1973 oil crisis.
1975: Philippines valued its relations with China
Since 1975, the Philippines has valued its relations with China, its top trading partner, and cooperates significantly with the country.
1976: Major Earthquake
In 1976, a major earthquake occurred in the Moro Gulf.
1980: Boycott of the Summer Olympics
In 1980, the Philippines supported the American-led boycott of the Summer Olympics.
1981: End of Martial Law
In 1981, the period of martial law that began in 1972 ended in the Philippines.
1982: Release of critically acclaimed films
In 1982, critically acclaimed Philippine films such as Himala (Miracle) and Oro, Plata, Mata (Gold, Silver, Death) were released.
August 21, 1983: Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.
On August 21, 1983, opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated at Manila International Airport.
1984: Economic Contraction
In 1984, the Philippine economy contracted by 7.3 percent annually.
1984: Completion of Southeast Asia's first nuclear power plant
The Philippines completed Southeast Asia's first nuclear power plant in Bataan in 1984.
1985: Economic Contraction
In 1985, the Philippine economy contracted by 7.3 percent annually.
1985: Poverty rate at 49.2 percent
In 1985, the poverty rate in the Philippines was 49.2 percent.
1986: Weakening of CPP-NPA after the return of democracy
After the return of democracy in 1986, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military wing, the New People's Army (NPA), began to shrink militarily and politically.
1986: Chernobyl disaster
In 1986, Safety concerns after the Chernobyl disaster prevented the nuclear power plant from being commissioned.
1986: People Power Revolution
In 1986, protests resulting from a fraudulent election led to the People Power Revolution, forcing Marcos to flee and installing Corazon Aquino as president.
1986: Return of Democracy
In 1986, the return of democracy and government reforms began.
1990: Mainstream arrival of Filipino hip-hop
In 1990, Filipino hip-hop entered the mainstream music scene.
1990: Progress towards improved sanitation began
In 1990, progress towards improved sanitation began in the Philippines, leading to 74% access by 2015.
June 1991: Eruption of Mount Pinatubo
In June 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo occurred.
1991: Law devolved some powers to local governments
In 1991, a law was passed in the Philippines that devolved some powers to local governments, marking a step towards decentralization.
1995: Military modernization program began
In 1995, a military modernization program began to build a more capable defense system for the Philippines.
1996: Peace agreement signed with Moro National Liberation Front
In 1996, the Moro National Liberation Front, one of Bangsamoro's largest separatist organizations, signed a final peace agreement with the Philippine government.
1996: First Satellite Purchase
In 1996, the Philippines bought its first satellite, marking an early step in the country's space program.
1997: Asian Financial Crisis
In 1997, the onset of the Asian financial crisis overshadowed Ramos's economic gains.
1999: Forest Cover
In 1999, forest cover declined to about 18.3 percent of the Philippines' total land area.
1999: Visiting Forces Agreement supplemented the Mutual Defense Treaty
In 1999, the Visiting Forces Agreement supplemented the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
2000: Jade Artifacts
Jade artifacts have been dated to 2000 BC, with lingling-o jade items made in Luzon with raw materials from Taiwan.
January 20, 2001: Overthrow of Joseph Estrada
On January 20, 2001, Joseph Estrada was overthrown by the 2001 EDSA Revolution, leading to the succession of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
2003: Philippines designated a major non-NATO ally
In 2003, the Philippines was designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States.
2003: Observer Status in OIC
Since 2003, the Philippines has sought to obtain observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
2004: Electoral Fraud Allegations
In 2004, electoral fraud allegations arose during the presidential election.
2004: Alternative education and mainstreaming of madaris
In 2004, the government began offering alternative education to out-of-school children, youth, and adults to improve literacy; madaris were mainstreamed in 16 regions that year.
2007: Text messaging usage
In 2007, the Philippines sent an average of one billion SMS messages per day, showcasing its high concentration of cellular-phone users.
2009: National Grid Corporation manages the country's power grid
Since 2009, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines manages the country's power grid, providing overhead transmission lines across the country's islands.
2010: Philippine population at 92 million
By 2010, the population of the Philippines had increased to 92 million.
2010: Protestant percentage of population
In 2010, Protestants made up about 5% to 7% of the population in the Philippines.
2010: Philippines entered into the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement
In 2010, the Philippines entered into the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, seeking economic liberalization and free trade.
2010: Philippine Economic Growth
Since around 2010, the Philippines has experienced an average annual growth rate of six to seven percent, making it one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
2010: Beginnings of P-pop influence
Starting in 2010, Pinoy pop (P-pop) was influenced by K-pop and J-pop.
2012: Boracay called the best island in the world
In 2012, Travel + Leisure called Boracay the best island in the world, highlighting the Philippines as a popular retirement destination for foreigners and a top destination for diving enthusiasts.
2012: Decline in income inequality began
In 2012, income inequality in the Philippines began to decline.
2012: Scarborough Shoal standoff
In 2012, the Scarborough Shoal standoff occurred after China seized the shoal from the Philippines, leading to an international arbitration case.
2012: Military modernization program expanded
In 2012, the military modernization program expanded to build a more capable defense system for the Philippines.
2013: Philippines ranks third in Roman Catholic population
As of 2013, the Philippines had the world's third-largest Roman Catholic population and was Asia's largest Christian nation.
2014: Peace agreement signed with Moro Islamic Liberation Front
In 2014, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, one of Bangsamoro's largest separatist organizations, signed a final peace agreement with the Philippine government.
2015: Improved sanitation access
In 2015, the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation noted that 74 percent of the Philippine population had access to improved sanitation, showing good progress between 1990 and 2015.
2015: Gold Production
In 2015, the country's gold production was 21 metric tonnes.
2016: National Geographic project on genetic markers
A 2016 National Geographic project concluded that people living in the Philippine archipelago carried genetic markers in the following percentages: 53 percent Southeast Asia and Oceania, 36 percent Eastern Asia, 5 percent Southern Europe, 3 percent Southern Asia, and 2 percent Native American.
2016: Household access to drinking water and sanitary toilet facilities
As of 2016, 96 percent of Filipino households had an improved source of drinking water, and 92 percent had sanitary toilet facilities.
2016: Launch of Diwata-1
In 2016, Diwata-1, the Philippines' first micro-satellite, was launched on the United States' Cygnus spacecraft.
2016: Election of Rodrigo Duterte
In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected president, leading to the decline of liberalism in the country.
2016: Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement supplemented the Mutual Defense Treaty
In 2016, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement supplemented the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, strengthening their defense cooperation.
2017: Air domestic market
In 2017, the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific dominated the air domestic market.
December 2018: Road network
In December 2018, there were 210,528 kilometers (130,816 mi) of roads in the Philippines.
2018: Establishment of Malasakit Centers
Since 2018, Malasakit Centers (one-stop shops) have been set up in several government-operated hospitals to provide medical and financial assistance to indigent patients.
2019: Number of higher education institutions
As of 2019, the Philippines had 1,975 higher education institutions, of which 246 were public and 1,729 were private.
2019: Railway footprint
As of 2019, the Philippines had a railway footprint of only 79 kilometers (49 mi).
2019: Literacy rates
In 2019, the Philippines had a basic literacy rate of 93.8 percent of those five years old or older, and a functional literacy rate of 91.6 percent of those aged 10 to 64.
2019: Universal Health Care Act enactment
In 2019, the Universal Health Care Act was enacted by President Duterte, facilitating the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos in the national health insurance program.
2019: Tourism jobs in the Philippines
In 2019, tourism provided 5.7 million jobs in the Philippines, highlighting its significant contribution to the country's economy.
May 2020: Philippine government denial of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal
In May 2020, the Philippine government denied ABS-CBN's franchise renewal.
2020: Calabarzon was the region with the greatest population
As of 2020, Calabarzon was the region in the Philippines with the greatest population.
2020: Continued influence on P-pop
As of 2020, Pinoy pop (P-pop) continued to be influenced by K-pop and J-pop.
2020: Roman Catholic population percentage
Census data from 2020 found that 78.8 percent of the Philippine population professed Roman Catholicism.
2020: Top languages spoken at home
In 2020, the top languages generally spoken at home in the Philippines were Tagalog, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Cebuano, and Bikol.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Philippines, necessitating nationwide lockdowns.
2020: Ethnic groups census
In the 2020 census, the largest ethnic groups in the Philippines were Tagalog (26.0 percent), Visayans (14.3 percent), Ilocano and Cebuano (both eight percent), Hiligaynon (7.9 percent), Bikol (6.5 percent), and Waray (3.8 percent).
2021: Household Electrification
As of end-2021, the Philippines' household electrification level was about 95.41%.
2021: First Olympic Gold Medal
In 2021, Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal in weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics.
2021: Installed power capacity
In 2021, the Philippines had a total installed power capacity of 26,882 MW, with coal being the primary source of generation.
2021: Poverty rate at 18.1 percent
In 2021, the Philippines' poverty rate had decreased to 18.1 percent.
2021: Entry of Dito Telecommunity
In 2021, the entry of Dito Telecommunity improved the country's telecommunications service after the PLDT-Globe Telecom duopoly.
2021: Leading causes of death
In 2021, the leading causes of death in the Philippines were ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, COVID-19, neoplasms, and diabetes.
2021: Water withdrawals at 89 billion cubic meters
In 2021, the total water withdrawals in the Philippines were 89 billion cubic meters.
2021: Tourism contribution to Philippine GDP
In 2021, tourism contributed 5.2 percent to the Philippine GDP, a decrease from 12.7 percent in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Internet users percentage
In early 2021, 67 percent of Filipinos (73.91 million) had Internet access; the overwhelming majority used smartphones.
January 2022: Women's National Football Team World Cup Qualification
In January 2022, the Philippines women's national football team qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking their first appearance in the World Cup.
2022: AFP Manpower
As of 2022, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had a total manpower of around 280,000, including active personnel, reserves, and paramilitaries.
2022: National government-owned airports
As of 2022, the Philippines had 90 national government-owned airports, of which eight are international.
2022: Election of Bongbong Marcos
In 2022, Bongbong Marcos won the election, running with Duterte's daughter, Sara.
2022: World's second biggest exporter of nickel ore
In 2022, Philippines was the world's second biggest exporter of nickel ore.
2022: Philippines listed as seventh-most-dangerous country for journalists
In 2022, the Philippines was listed as the seventh-most-dangerous country for journalists by the Committee to Protect Journalists due to 13 unsolved murders of journalists.
2022: Increased water withdrawals and expenditures
In 2022, the total water withdrawals in the Philippines increased to 91 billion cubic meters from 89 billion cubic meters in 2021, and the total expenditures on water amounted to ₱144.81 billion.
2023: Forest Cover
According to official estimates, the Philippines had 7,000,000 hectares of forest cover in 2023.
2023: Number of American citizens living in the Philippines
As of 2023, almost 300,000 American citizens live in the Philippines.
2023: Labor force and Unemployment Rate
As of 2023, the Philippines' labor force was around 50 million, and its unemployment rate was 3.1 percent.
2023: Average life expectancy
As of 2023, the average life expectancy in the Philippines is 70.48 years (66.97 years for males, and 74.15 years for females).
2023: Education budget and number of public libraries
As of 2023, the education sector in the Philippines was allocated ₱900.9 billion from the ₱5.268 trillion budget, and the country has 1,640 public libraries affiliated with the National Library of the Philippines.
2023: International Visitors
In 2023, The Philippines attracted 5.45 million international visitors.
2023: Philippine Military Spending
In 2023, US$477 million, 1.4 percent of GDP, was spent on the Philippine military, with most of the spending allocated to the Philippine Army.
2023: Record Remittances from Overseas Filipinos
In 2023, remittances from overseas Filipinos reached a record US$37.20 billion, accounting for 8.5 percent of the Philippines' GDP.
2023: Philippines entered into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement
In 2023, the Philippines entered into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement (FTA), aiming to spur foreign direct investment.
2023: Women's National Football Team World Cup Appearance
In 2023, the Philippines women's national football team participated in the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time.
2023: Budget allocation for healthcare
In 2023, the budget allocation for healthcare in the Philippines was ₱334.9 billion.
January 2024: Gross International Reserves
As of January 2024, the gross international reserves in the Philippines totaled US$103.406 billion.
July 2024: Philippines Population
In July 2024, the Philippines had a population of 112,729,484.
2024: Philippines ranked in the Global Peace Index
In 2024, The Philippines ranked 104th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index.
2024: Per-capita health expenditure
In 2024, the per-capita health expenditure in the Philippines was ₱12,751, and health expenditures were 5.9 percent of the country's GDP.
2025: Projected number of American citizens living in the Philippines
By the year 2025, the number of American citizens living in the Philippines is projected to increase to 750,000.
2025: Philippines ranked in the Global Innovation Index
In 2025, The Philippines was ranked 50th in the Global Innovation Index.
2025: Estimated Nominal Gross Domestic Product
In 2025, the Philippine economy is estimated to be the world's 34th largest, with a nominal gross domestic product of US$507.7 billion.
Mentioned in this timeline
Martial law is the imposition of military rule in place...
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN is a regional...
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's...
China officially the People's Republic of China PRC is an...
Japan is an East Asian island country situated in the...
The Winter Olympic Games a major international multi-sport event held...
Trending
9 months ago World's Largest Rubber Duck Returns to Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh in June 2025
8 months ago Rybakina advances at Roland Garros after Iva Jovic match, defies odds.
A sonic boom is a loud explosive sound created by shock waves when an object exceeds the speed of sound...
2 months ago Earthquake Rattles Northern California on Thanksgiving: Santa Rosa Area Sees 3.3 Magnitude
2 months ago SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink Satellites from Cape Canaveral on 150th Mission.
8 months ago Mirra Andreeva vs. Yulia Putintseva at French Open; Putintseva Advances to Second Round
Popular
Curt Cignetti is an American college football coach currently the...
Carson Beck is an American college football quarterback currently playing...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
WWE Raw a professional wrestling television program by WWE airs...
Matt and Ross Duffer known as the Duffer Brothers are...