Emilio Aguinaldo (1869–1964) was a prominent leader in the Philippine fight for independence and the first President of the Republic of the Philippines, serving from 1899 to 1901. As a member of the revolutionary Katipunan movement, he played a critical role in the struggle against Spanish colonial rule and later resisted American colonization. Aguinaldo spearheaded the Philippine Revolution, organizing resistance forces and proclaiming Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. Under his leadership, the First Philippine Republic—the first constitutional democracy in Asia—was established. Despite early victories, Aguinaldo was captured by American forces in 1901, effectively ending organized resistance to U.S. rule. Today, Aguinaldo is celebrated as a central figure in Philippine history, embodying the nation’s enduring quest for freedom and self-determination.
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