Today in Philippine History: Galicano Apacible

JUNE 25, 1864

Galicano Apacible (June 25, 1864 – March 2, 1949), a patriot and propagandist was born in Balayan, Batangas. He was a cousin of Jose Rizal and headed the La Solidaridad, an organization created in Spain in 1888. He co-founded the Nacionalista Party and formed the Hong Kong Junta. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo sent him to Tokyo as a special agent to secure arms and ammunitions for the revolutionaries. Apacible was a physician, governor, representative of the 1st district of Batangas and the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

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Today in Philippine History: Legazpi Establishes Manila as Capital

JUNE 24, 1571

On the feast day of St. John the Baptist, Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made Manila the capital of the Philippines. He named the city Nuevo Reino de Castilla (New Kingdom of Castille). The city government was established the following day complete with a cabildo (city council) and a court. Years later, King Philip II of Spain through his Royal Decree of June 1, 1574 renamed Manila Insigne y Siempre Leal de Ciudad (Distinguished and Ever Loyal City) and conferred a coat-of-arms for the city through his Royal Decree of March 26, 1596. 

Photo credit: http://visitpinas.com/