#TodayinHistory in 1815, the last ship of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, arrived in Manila. The Galleon Trade was ended by royal decree of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, bec of Spain's bankruptcy & the Mexican War of Independence. (THREAD) #PH#history
The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was a Spanish trading line that traversed the treacherous expanse of the Pacific Ocean for 250 years (1565-1815). This shipping line aimed to bring Asian products—silk, pearls, porcelain, gold, ivory—to Spain, while bringing gold & silver back.
In June 1565, Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, after establishing an Augustinian mission in #Cebu, plotted a course back to Mexico, at high latitude. Skipping the typhoons, the current (North Pacific Gyre) helped his ship reach Panama in 123 days. This became the galleon trade route.
The galleon trade made #PH became Europe's gateway to Asia, specifically to China. Approx. 250 million silver pesos & 50 million in gold crossed the Pacific. It was "one of the great commercial & logistical achievements in world history," an example of globalization.
Galleons were built in the port of Cavite, weighing 1,700-2k tons for it's sheer size to carry lots of cargo. It took at least 4-6 months for a galleon to reach Acapulco from Manila, & vice versa at great risk to the ship's crew, & investors. 26 of 108 galleons were lost at sea..
... in its two & a half centuries of activity. Due to galleon trade's great profitability, much of the agricultural & industrial potential of #PH was neglected, as Spain focused its energies on securing the shipping line.
At the end of 18th c. to early 19th c., the galleon trade had waned due to new economic competition & low demand for Asian products. Moreover, Spain was invaded by Napoleon, as wars of independence erupted in the Americas. Spain became bankrupt.
- A part of the painting by Cornelis Verbeeck, c. 1618
- Map of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade route, from the Official Gazette PH 2014
- Illustration of the sinking of the San Diego by Théodore de Bry, 1603
#TodayinHistory in 1986, Marines broke thru Camp Aguinaldo's east wall, but hesitated due to civilian buffer. Soon, PH Air Force's 15th Strike Wing hovered. Crowd expected an attack but the airmen joined the crowd. Marcos issued kill order but it was not obeyed. THREAD. #EDSA37
Radyo Veritas provided a blow-by-blow account of #EDSA even as its transmission tower was compromised by the PH Constabulary attack, limiting its airing to Luzon. However, a mysterious radio station appeared at 12mn calling itself "Radyo Bandido."
Listeners tuned in, as Radyo Bandido (@DZRJ810AM) station played the Mambo Magsaysay jingle, making people realize that it was really Radyo Veritas gone rogue. soundcloud.com/podcast-ph/cla…
I disagree that the return of “holiday economics” is “good.” Holidays of historical significance are important annual markers for everyone— the learned & those who aren’t. Moving the dates arbitrarily dilutes the full meaning of past events that happened in a specific pt in time.
It defeats the purpose of memorialization, especially when an event being commemorated involves a gruesome battle, atrocity, or martyrdom. Moving the commemoration dates are tantamount to disrespect.
It’s this very reason that the late president PNoy restored the national observances during his term, no matter how inconvenient the dates were “economically.”
#TodayinHistory in 1986, #Marcos Sr. sent 12 tanks to #EDSA led by Gen. Artemio Tadiar in an attempt to arrest the defectors & disperse the crowd. But the human barricades across the intersection of Ortigas & EDSA forced the marines to pull back. THREAD. #EDSA37#PH#history
The day prior, as news of Ramos and Enrile’s defection reached Cory Aquino, she was staying for the night in secret at the Carmelite monastery in Cebu. The sisters saw it their moral duty to protect her, w/ conviction that they’re protecting the legitimately elected president.
At dawn, via Radyo Veritas, Enrile & Ramos began calling again for Marcos' ouster. At 5:30am, PH Constabulary attacked Radyo Veritas limiting its airing to Luzon only. A few hours later, men began cutting down trees & used these as barricade on roads near Camps Crame & Aguinaldo.
#TodayinHistory in 1986, after a plot to assault Malacañang was foiled, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile & AFP Vice Chief-of-Staff Fidel V. Ramos held a press con announcing defection from Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Jaime Cardinal Sin urged people to protect them. #EDSA37#History
In 1985, to placate the growing concern of the int'l community on #PH under Marcos, Marcos agreed to a Snap Elections on 7 Feb 1986. Corazon Aquino & Salvador Laurel ran as opposition.
On election day, & days that followed for tally & canvassing of votes, int'l observers note widespread fraud & violence threatening the integrity of the elections. Upon announcement in Batasan that Marcos won, majority of people boycotted crony companies.
#TodayinHistory in 1890, poet, nationalist, political thinker, jurist, & statesman, Claro M. Recto, was born in Tiaong, Quezon Province. Recto reshaped modern #PH political thought, pushing for nationalist policies when the U.S. heavily influenced post-war PH affairs. THREAD.
Born to Don Claro Recto Sr. of Rosario Batangas & Doña Micaela Mayo of Lipa, among 5 other siblings, 3 of whom died, Claro lived in a generation of great awakening. In 6 years time after his birth, #PH Revolution vs. Spain broke out.
Recto studied Latin at Instituto de Rizal in Lipa, Batangas from 1900 to 1901 & pursued Bachelor og Arts in 1905 at @ateneodemanilau, achieving the highest grade—maxima cum laude. He pursued Law in 1909 at @UST1611official & wrote for several newspapers to support his education.
#TodayinHistory in 1986, the consequential Snap Elections began. The 2 contenders for the presidency were Ferdinand Marcos Sr. & Corazon C. Aquino. It is one of the landmark events that led to the EDSA People Power Revolution 3 weeks later. THREAD. #history#kasaysayan
After the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983, int'l support on Marcos Sr. waned. It was in Nov 1985 that Marcos Sr. was interviewed in the David Brinkley's show & said: "... all these childish claims to popularity on both sides have to be settled, then I think...
"... we better settle it by calling an election... And we will invite the members of the American Congress to please come and see what is happening here. All this talk about fraud... that's sourgrapes."
Corazon Aquino, after much thought and consultation accepted the challenge.