Pres. McKinley Creates The Taft Commission

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MARCH 16, 1900

U.S. President William McKinley established the Second Philippine Commission also known as the Taft Commission upon the recommendation of the First Philippine Commission. William Howard Taft headed it until July 4, 1901. 

The commission exercised legislative and limited executive powers in the Philippine Islands. 

It established a judicial system with a Supreme court, replaced Spanish ordinances, made 499 laws, organized a civil service and the Philippine Constabulary among others. It was disbanded on October 16, 1916. 

Taft would later become a U.S. president.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Shurman Commission Members Arrive In Manila

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MARCH 4, 1899

Three members of the First Philippine Commission appointed by U.S. Pres. William McKinley arrived in Manila to investigate the conditions in the islands and make recommendations. 

Also known as the Schurman Commission, it was headed by Dr. Jacob G. Schurman with Adm. George Dewey, Gen. Elwell S. Otis, Charles H. Denby and Dean C. Worcester as members.

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

Photo credit: Wikipedia.com

U.S. Military Government Ends

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MARCH 2, 1901

The American military government in the Philippines ended after the United States Congress enacted the Army Appropriations Act which carried the Spooner Amendment sponsored by Senator John C. Spooner that allowed U.S. President William McKinley to administer the Philippines.

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

Photo credit: latinamericanstudies.org

USS Maine Sinks

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 15, 1898

The American battleship USS Maine sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba after it was mysteriously blown up, killing 266 crew members out of 354. 

The Americans blamed Spain for the explosion. The Spanish government denied the accusation and tried to mend the rift with the United States. 

She wanted to avoid a war with a nation having the most modern technology and weaponry, even if the U.S. was meddling in the Cuban war of independence. 

The Americans considered it an act of treason and a good reason to declare war even without proof of Spain’s involvement. 

US President William McKinley declared war on Spain. Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt (who would later become president) ordered Commodore George Dewey, the commander of the American Asiatic Squadron to attack Spanish forces in the Philippines. 

On April 23, 1898, Spain declared war on the United States. 

The American navy destroyed the Spanish naval fleet in the Philippines. Spain’s forces were no match to the superior and modern firepower of the US Navy which culminated in their defeat in the Battle of Manila Bay. 

The Spanish-American War lasted 13 weeks.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Pres. McKinley Instructs To Demand The Cession Of The Philippines

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 26, 1898

Pres. William McKinley instructed the American Peace Commission to demand for the cession of the Philippines in the negotiation with their Spanish counterpart in a meeting in Paris that would officially end the Spanish-American War. 

The negotiations began on October 1, 1898 and culminated in the signing of the December 10, 1898 Treaty of Paris. Spain relinquished her sovereignty over Cuba, and placed Puerto Rico and Guam under American control. 

The Philippines was sold to the United States for $20 million.

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

Photo credit: authentichistory.com