Rizal Day in the Philippines Date in the current year: December 30, 2024

José Rizal was a Filipino novelist, poet and revolutionary. He was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, the Philippines. He started his education in 1877 and wanted to obtain a land surveyor and assessor's degree. Soon he found out that his mother was going blind, that's why he switched to medicine, specializing in ophthalmology.

Rizal completed his study in ophthalmology in 1887, but he wasn't only a doctor. He started writing essays and poems, that became very popular among the nation. After publication of one of his novels Rizal was declared by Spanish authorities an enemy of the state.

Rizal volunteered to serve in Cuba as a doctor, but he was arrested on his way and imprisoned in Barcelona on October 6, 1896. He was convinced on the charges of rebellion, sedition and conspiracy and sentenced to death. His execution took place on December 30, 1896.

In 1898 the first President of the Philippines issued a decree on celebration of Rizal Day, and the first memorial ceremony took place the same year. In 1901 Rizal was named a national hero in the Philippines and in 1902 Rizal Day was made a public holiday.