The history of the Republic of the Philippines in 1898 was marked by a pivotal year of revolutionary change. In 1896, the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule had already begun, but 1898 was the year when significant events unfolded. The revolutionaries, led by figures like Emilio Aguinaldo, declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. This marked the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, with Aguinaldo becoming its president. However, the country’s newfound independence was soon overshadowed by the Spanish-American War. After Spain’s defeat, the Treaty of Paris was signed in December 1898, and the Philippines was ceded to the United States, despite the declaration of independence. This set the stage for the Philippine-American War, as the Filipinos resisted American colonial rule, marking a significant chapter in the nation’s history.
1898
