Manila Day, The Day of Conquest
In 1571, or almost 450 years ago, the Spaniards, under the leadership of Governor-General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, conquered Manila so that it could serve as the capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia. After an unequal battle in Manila Bay, Rajah Soliman was defeated, and after this, colonialism took hold over the once free society of the rajahs.
The original Filipino citizens of Manila were expelled from their own land, so they built a new town outside Manila. This place was known as “Bagumbayan.” We now call this site Rizal Park.
This day, 24 June, is now being celebrated annually and is now known as “Manila Day.”