What Is Rizal Day: The Philippines has a long history full of brave acts that were done even during the hardest times of colonial rule. The days that mark the anniversary of their deaths are often recognized as national holidays to honor their important roles in the freedom movement and the important lessons they taught us.
In fact, it is common in the Philippines to celebrate these people and events as a way to remember the time when other countries ruled the country and how these actions helped the Philippines become independent.
Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal, who is known as the Philippines’ national hero, is one of these important people in the country’s past.
History of Rizal Day
People say that Dr. José Rizal, who was born in Calamba on June 19, 1861, started the revolt against the Spanish invaders. The author and doctor wrote a book called “Noli Me Tangere” in 1887 that attacked the Philippines’ corrupt Spanish government. Most historians agree that the movement began with “El Filibusterismo” and the ideas it sparked.
Rizal was going to be killed by a shooting squad at Bagumbayan Field on December 30, 1896. He was arrested and put on trial for treason even though he had never been in a bloody battle.
Emilio Aguinaldo, who was the first president of the Philippines, made December 30, 1898, the first Rizal Day. It was a national day of grief for Rizal and all the people who died because of Spanish colonial rule. Following the order, the first monument was built in Daet, Camarines Norte.
The United States took over the Philippines after they won the Spanish-American War in 1901. As Governor-General of the Philippines, William Howard Taft was more sympathetic to the Filipino people than the Spanish were. He saw Rizal as a national hero of the Philippines. By law, Act No. 345 was signed into law on February 1, 1902, making December 30 Rizal Day.
To make sure the event was serious, President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 229 into law on June 9, 1948. The law says that on December 30, all flags must be raised at half-staff, and many other things are illegal.
On the 100th anniversary of Rizal’s death in 1996, there was a gathering to raise the flag, a reenactment of his death, and a walk from Fort Santiago to the place where he was executed.
Rizal Day timeline
1887
“Noli me Tangere” by Rizal is a song.
Rizal’s 1887 book “Noli Me Tangere” (Do not Touch Me) attacks the Spanish colonists in the Philippines for being corrupt in their power.
1896
It is at Bagumbayan Field that Rizal is killed.
At 7 a.m. on December 30, 1896, in Bagumbayan Field, which is now Rizal Park in Manila, Rizal is set to be killed by a firing squad.
1898
President Emilio Zedillo has set a National Day of Mourning.
Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines, marks the first Rizal Day, a day to remember Rizal and all the people who died. At the same time, the Philippines was a Spanish colony.
1902
It is now clear that Rizal Day is a holiday.
Act No. 345 officially made Rizal Day a national holiday on February 1, 2019, when the Philippine Commission passed it.
How to Observe Rizal Day
Go to a ceremony where the flag is raised, or wreaths are laid:
A service is held at the Rizal Monument in Manila led by the President, and the Philippine flag is flown at half-mast all over the country.
There are rituals where wreaths are laid at both the Rizal Monument in Baguio City and the Rizal Shrine in Calamba.
2. Honor the life or birth of Jose Rizal:
Some people would rather remember Rizal by enjoying his life than being sad about his death, so June 19 is thought of as his birthday.
People have different ideas about what December 30 means because it is so close to New Year’s Day.
Take the day off:
December 30 is Rizal Day, a one-of-a-kind holiday when most people don’t have to work.
People who have to work on Rizal Day should get twice as much money as they normally would.
Why Rizal Day is Important
Taking part in the Revolution:
Most people agree that Dr. Jose Rizal played a big role in starting the revolt against the Spanish invaders.
The Philippine Air Force will fly past, and the national flag will be raised at the Independence Flagpole as part of the ceremonies for this important day in history.
The National Day of Sadness:
In Malolos and all over the Philippines, December 30 is a national day of grief for Rizal and all other people who died because of Spanish colonial rule.
In many towns and provinces, the celebrations include speeches, traditions for laying wreaths, and services where the flag is raised.
Ceremony for Laying Wreaths in Rizal Park:
In Manila, Rizal Park is where most of the events for Rizal Day happen early in the morning.
The President and Vice President will each give a public message about the end of the year and lay a wreath at the Rizal Monument.
5 Interesting Facts About Rizal Day
It is common to do the following on Inauguration Day:
Also, every new Philippine President has been sworn in on Rizal Day since 1936.
Certain things are not allowed:
President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Measure No. 229 on June 9, 1948, so that December 30 would always be Rizal Day. This law said that you couldn’t do cockfighting, horse races, or jai-alai.
Given the title of “National Hero”:
Rizal was officially named a “National hero” of the Philippines by American Governor-General William Howard Taft in 1901.
Director of Ceremonies for the President:
The Philippine President or Vice President leads the events in Manila’s Rizal Park on Rizal Day. Most of the time, these things happen early in the morning.
Rizal didn’t do much to help the rebellion.
Rizal was caught, tried for treason, and finally put to death, even though he hadn’t fought in any battles and wasn’t directly involved in the nationalist uprising.
What do we do in Rizal Day?
Rizal Day ceremonies are held at Rizal Park in Manila. This is usually held early in the morning, led by the president and vice president, and involves the raising of the national flag at Independence Flagpole, followed by a flypast by the Philippine Air Force and the laying of a wreath at the Rizal Monument.
In the Philippines, December 30 has been Rizal Day since 1898. It is a memorial day for the life of José Rizal, who is widely seen as one of the country’s best heroes. The Philippine Holiday Compensation Rule says that employees should get paid for this national holiday.
José Rizal was a rebel and Filipino hero, as well as a writer, poet, and eye doctor. He was born on June 19, 1861. During the years he lived in Europe, he was involved in the Propaganda Movement, which worked to bring about change in the Philippines. He also wrote his first book at the same time. It was called “Noli Me Tangere,” and it was about the terrible truth of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Because of this, he was targeted when he went back to the Philippines for a short time.
What happened in Rizal Day?
The Rizal Day bombings, also referred to as the December 30 bombings, were a series of bombings that occurred around Metro Manila in the Philippines on December 30, 2000. The explosions occurred within a span of a few hours, killing 22 people and injuring over 100 others.
Please find out how to honor Jose Rizal’s life and lessons, as well as his birthday and Day of the Dead. Look into how historical sites and educational activities help to keep Jose Rizal’s memory alive and shape the country’s future.
People in the Philippines think of Jose Rizal as their national hero. He was a writer, scholar, and nationalist who played a big role in the country’s 333-year fight for freedom from Spanish colonial rule, which ended in 1898.
Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. He did a lot of great things while living in the Philippines as a Spanish colony. His work and words changed society and politics, and they will always be remembered in the Philippines.
Rizal wrote books called “Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not) and “El Filibusterismo” (The Reign of Greed) that showed how the church and the Spanish colonial government were wrong and mistreated people. People in the Philippines felt a sense of national awareness and pride when they saw these works.
Jose Rizal is known as the national hero of the Philippines today. People are still moved by his life and work as they fight for independence, social growth, and national unity.
Who created Rizal Day?
December 20 of the same year, President Emilio Aguinaldo issued a proclamation declaring December 30 of that year, and every year thereafter, as a national day of mourning in honor of Rizal and the great Filipino patriots who fought against Spanish rule.
In 1898, Jose Rizal’s sister Narcissa asked that his ashes be taken from Paco Cemetery and given to the Rizal family. In honor of Rizal and other Filipino heroes who fought against Spanish rule, President Emilio Aguinaldo made December 30, 1898, and every year after that, a national day of mourning. This statement came out on December 20 of that year.
The Philippine Assembly then passed Act No. 243 on September 28, 1901, which set aside a piece of land in Manila’s Luneta Park (formerly Bagumbayan) so that a statue could be built to honor the country’s national hero.
Along with a memorial, the plan called for building a tomb to hold Rizal’s bones. A group was made to raise money for this project, and Paciano, Rizal’s brother, was put on it.
After Act No. 243 was signed into law, there was a competition. The winner was Professor Carlos Nicoli of Carrara, Italy, with his idea. Still, his plan was only used for a few reasons, including the fact that he couldn’t provide a 20,000-peso bond for the building. Instead, the winner, Dr. Richard Kissling of Zurich, Switzerland, had his plan for the Rizal National Monument at Luneta changed.
What is the story of Rizal?
José Rizal (1861-1896) is one of the most revered figures in Philippine history. He was a multifaceted intellectual and a political activist, best known for his political writings that inspired the Philippine revolution and ultimately led to his execution by the Spanish colonizers.
José Rizal was a doctor, a patriot, and a major figure in the Philippine nationalist movement. He was born in Calamba, Philippines, on June 19, 1861, and died in Manila on December 30, 1896.
Rizal was schooled in Manila and at the University of Madrid. He came from a family that owned a lot of land and was very wealthy. Even though he did well in medical school, he dedicated his life to fighting against Spanish rule in the Philippines, where he was born and raised, even though he did not publicly support freedom. He wrote most of his works while he was living in Europe from 1882 to 1892.
Rizal’s first book, “Noli me tangere” (The Social Cancer), came out in 1887. It was a strong attack on the wrongdoings that happened in the Philippines when Spain ruled it. When his follow-up book, “El filibusterismo” (1891), about the “reign of greed,” came out, it made him even more famous as the leader of the Philippine reform movement. He also produced an annotated edition of Antonio Morga’s “Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas” (1890; republished 1958) to show the rich history of the people who lived in the Philippines before Spain took it over.
Where is Rizal buried?
The Paco Cemetery
Rizal’s tomb at the Paco Cemetery
After Rizal’s execution, authorities buried him secretly in an unmarked grave at Paco General Cemetery.
After Rizal was put to death, he was buried in Paco General Cemetery in a grave that wasn’t marked. In just two days, Narcisa Rizal found the tomb and had a plaque put up with Rizal’s letters backward to read “R.P.J.” After he died, no one ever said his name again; they just called him “el difunto,” which means “the deceased.” After Spain lost the Spanish-American War in 1898, Narcisa was able to dig up Rizal’s body. The body parts were taken to the home of his relative Higino Francisco in Binondo, and the waters of the Estero de Binondo were used to clean them. After that, Rizal’s family kept his bones in a box.
On June 9, 1948, President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 229 into law. This law set rules for keeping Rizal Day serious. This rule makes it clear that horse races, cockfights, and jai-alai events are not allowed on December 30 of every year. Also, all over the land, flags must be flown at half-staff all day long.
The 100th anniversary of Rizal’s death, December 30, 1996, was marked with a big event. One of the events was following Rizal’s last steps from his cell in Fort Santiago to the place where he was killed. The event also included a moving ceremony to raise the flag and a reenactment of his death.
