Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1908, the University of the Philippines is established by virtue of Act No. 1870. The purpose of the institution is "to provide advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences, & arts, & to give professional and technical training." (THREAD) 🇵🇭

In 1908, U.P. had only 67 students, & started off w/ only 3 colleges—College of Fine Arts, College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Medicine & Surgery, which now compromised the core buildings of today's @UPManilaOnline. The number of enrollees grew.

Rafael Palma (1874-1939), brother to the national anthem's lyricist, journalist, and education advocate, became UP's fourth President, and the first Filipino to hold the post. He strengthened the academic freedom in the institution.

The alumni of the university became very proactive in national affairs. The University of the Philippines Alumni Association, for example, in the 1930s, was involved in a lot of projects, such as the construction of a national monument. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2bjMU9M

In 1939, the UP Board of Regents obtained a 93-hectare land in Diliman, Quezon City & began the project of building a larger flagship campus. Juan Nakpil, son of Julio Nakpil & Gregoria de Jesus, designed the iconic bldgs on campus. The move laid unfinished w/ 🇯🇵 invasion in 1941

During the #BattleofManila1945, 75 years ago, much of the buildings in main campus in Manila was destroyed. Even PGH, the hospital, was not spared. After the war, the Manila bldgs were rebuilt. The flagship campus was moved to Diliman in 1949.

Because of the special place @upsystem has in the history of the country, it has become the training ground of government officials, scientists, writers, & other thinkers from all over the regions in #PH. It has also historically upheld civil liberties & stood up against tyranny

In February 1971, for example, the students barricaded the campus to oppose a price hike on oil that affected jeepney drivers. It would be known in history as the Diliman Commune. It was but part of a series of protests vs. Marcos before Martial Law. tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2CFFcYW

It's history department, having been led by the luminaries of Philippine historiography, also stood up during the years of the dictatorship.

We hope that it continues to uphold academic freedom that has been the hallmark of its institutional history and quality of education, which have, in turn bolstered the democratic impulses of the nation.

@tonitiemsin @subselfie