#TodayinHistory in 1869, the Suez Canal opened, enabling #PH to have faster exchange of info & gain direct economic relations w/ Spain w/c used to be via Mexico. It shortened travel time bet PH & Spain for passenger & cargo transport from approx 2 mo. to 30 days. THREAD. #History
The opening of the Suez Canal brought liberal ideas faster to PH w/c would be the seed of the #PH Revolution of 1896. Prior to this, Spain was embroiled in revolutions & civil wars, beginning w/ the drafting of the historic Spanish Constitution of Cadiz in 1812.
The consti instituted that all in Spanish Empire (including inhabitants of #PH) were Spaniards entitled to representation in the Cortes (legislature). The consti would soon be rescinded, plunging Spain into civil war. These events divided Spain into liberals vs. absolutists.
The campaign of Spanish liberals for equality influenced many of the educated Filipinos suppressed in 1872. A gen later, many were able to study in Europe, brought about by cheaper travel cost & convenience brought about indirectly by the opening of the Suez Canal.
The canal construction was a gargantuan feat of its day--constructed by the Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez for 10 years (1859-1869). The company was founded by the wealthy French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, & opened #onthisday in 1869 under French control.
Jose Rizal when he was about to enter the Suez (26 May 1882):
"Greetings, inhospitable land but famous, alas, at the cost of the blood of your sons! Until now your name has been associated in my mind with terror and horrible carnage. How many conquerors have invaded your land!"
Photos:
- "The Inauguration of the Suez Canal" (1900) by Edouard Riou
- "The Oath of the Cortes of Cadiz (1862) by Jose Maria Casado del Alisal
-The revolution on 29 Sept 1868, by Vicente Urabietta, from El Museo Universal magazine
- Drawing of the Suez (1881)
- Jose Rizal's sketch of the coastline of Aden while aboard the ship D'jennah, c. 1882
#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.