The United States isn't the only country to ever celebrate independence on July 4. In the mid-20th century, people in the Philippines also marked July 4 as the day that they broke away from a During the period of Martial Law under President Ferdinand Marcos, July 4 was changed to Philippine-American Friendship Day, and relegated to a working holiday. More popularly known to the world as the U.S. Independence Day, the Philippines recognizes the 4th of July at present as the Philippine–American Friendship Day, but from 1964 until 1984, it was also known as the Philippine Republic Day, a national holiday. Philippine Republic Day, held annually on July 4, is the celebration of the Philippines’ independence. The holiday, also called Philippine–American Friendship Day, was once an official holiday with the title Independence Day. JULY 4 marks the Philippine-American Friendship Day, celebrated by the Philippines alongside the United States’ Independence Day. For context, the Philippines used to observe “Araw ng Kasarinlan” or “Araw ng Kalayaan” on July 4, after the country gained sovereignty from the United States through the Treaty of Manila in 1946. Philippine-American Friendship Day is celebrated annually on July 4. This holiday was established in 1955 by Philippine President Ramón Magsaysay to honor the partnership and alliance between the Philippines and the United States. THE Filipino people mark today, July 4, “Philippine-American Friendship Day.” The Philippines, like the United States (US), used to celebrate its Independence Day on July 4. But in 1962, the Philippine Historical Association (PHA) persuaded then President Diosdado Macapagal to change the date of independence to June 12. Filipino-American Friendship Day is a unique celebration that highlights the deep-seated friendship between two nations. It commemorates the Treaty of Manila, signed on July 4, 1946, which granted the Philippines independence from the United States. Celebrating Filipino-American Friendship Day Filipino-American Friendship Day is a significant observance that falls on July 4, aligning with the United States’ Independence Day. This day serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted friendship and shared history between the Philippines and the United States, as well as Philippine Republic Day (Tagalog: Araw ng Republikang Pilipino), also known as Philippine–American Friendship Day, [1] is a commemoration in the Philippines held annually on July 4. From then on, July 4 has been observed anew as Philippine-American Friendship Day marked from 1946. Despite the changes in nomenclature, the word Friendship is writ large as the defining element in the two countries’ relationship. On July 4th, the Philippines celebrates Philippine-American Friendship Day, a special occasion that commemorates the deep and enduring bond between the Philippines and the United States. On the Fourth of July – U.S. Independence Day and Philippine-American Friendship Day – we look back on what the U.S.-Philippine partnership has achieved over the past twelve months. Filipino-American Friendship Day has a rich history intertwined with the evolving relations between the United States and the Philippines. Initially celebrated as Philippine Republic Day, the event commemorated the Philippines’ independence from the U.S. Filipino-American Friendship Day Date in the current year: July 4, 2025 Filipino-American Friendship Day, previously known as Philippine Republic Day, is a holiday in the Philippines observed on July 4. It used to be celebrated as the country's Independence Day, but now it is a working holiday not linked to the independence of the Philippines. Today, the 4th of July is observed in the Philippines as Philippine-American Friendship Day, a day that pays tribute to the long partnership between the two countries. Celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day on July 4th and honor the special bond between the two countries! This holiday was first created in 1998 as a way to recognize the strong relationship between the United States and The Philippines. Filipinos celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day on July 4 every year to mark their historical alliance with the U.S. The relationship between the two countries started as a hostile one and then, with the intervention of another force, to a friendly one. Philippine-American Friendship Day, celebrated every July 4th, commemorates the deep-rooted and evolving relationship between the Philippines and the United States. This day honors the shared history and the vibrant partnership that continues to thrive in today's interconnected world. On the Fourth of July – US Independence Day and Philippine-American Friendship Day – we look back on what the US-Philippine partnership has achieved over the past 12 months.
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