Rizal Day commemorates the execution of Dr. José Rizal in 1896, honoring him as the Philippines' national hero and symbol of freedom, celebrated with ceremonies, tributes, and patriotic programs.

When is Rizal Day?

Rizal Day in Philippines is celebrated every year on December 30.

The following is the list of Rizal Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Rizal Day?

On December 30, 1896, Dr. José Rizal was executed by a Spanish firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park/Luneta) in Manila. Rizal was a writer, reformist, and nationalist whose novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo exposed Spanish colonial abuses.

His execution turned him into a martyr of Philippine independence, inspiring Filipinos to continue the struggle against Spain.

In 1898, during the Philippine Revolution, General Emilio Aguinaldo declared December 30 as a day of national mourning in honor of Rizal and other victims of Spanish rule. This was the first official recognition of Rizal's role as a national hero.

In 1901, the American colonial government established the Order of the Knights of Rizal, dedicated to preserving his memory.

In 1902, the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 345, officially declaring December 30 as Rizal Day, making it one of the first legal public holidays in the country.

This was significant because it united Filipinos under a shared symbol of nationalism, even under colonial rule.

Throughout the 20th century, Rizal Day became an important occasion for patriotic expression and civic education.

In 1936, President Manuel L. Quezon declared Rizal a national hero and emphasized his teachings in schools.

In 1942, during the Japanese occupation, the Rizal Monument became a rallying point for Filipino nationalism.