Gen. Douglas MacArthur Lands In Leyte

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 20, 1944

American liberation forces headed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur together with Pres. Sergio Osmeña landed in Palo, Leyte to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese. 

MacArthur in a  dramatic entrance in the Red Beach announced: "People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil." 

The United States and Australian forces together with Filipino guerrillas engaged the Imperial Japanese Army of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita in the Battle of Leyte from October 17, 1944 to December 31, 1944. 

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org and wazzuppilipinas.com

Today in Philippine History: Bell Trade Act of 1946

JULY 2, 1946

The Bell Trade Act or the Philippine Trade Act of 1946 was approved by the Philippine Legislature during the term of Pres. Manuel Roxas. The Act sponsored by Missouri Congressman Charles Jasper Bell was passed by the U.S. Congress and governed the granting of Philippine independence. It controversially tied the Philippine economy to that of the United States. An $800 million post-war fund was offered if the Act was ratified. Pres. Sergio Osmeña called it a curtailment of Philippine sovereignty, virtual nullification of Philippine Independence.”

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/