Ninoy Aquino Day in the Philippines Date in the current year: August 21, 2024

Ninoy Aquino was one of the leaders of the opposition to the dictatorial government of President Ferdinand Marcos. He served as governor of Tarlac from 1961 to 1967 and as Senator from 1967 to 1972. Aquino constantly criticized the Marcos regime, which eventually led to direct confrontation.

In 1972, Marcos declared martial law and arrested Aquino on trumped-up charges. In 1977, he was sentenced to death, but was not immediately executed. After Aquino suffered a heart attack in prison, he was sent to the United States to undergo surgery.

Aquino was assassinated on August 21, 1983 at Manila International Airport. Aquino had just returned to the Philippines after a three-year exile and was shot in the head. His assassination strengthened the opposition movement and sparked the People Power Revolution, which culminated in the overthrow of the Marcos regime.

Ninoy Aquino Day was established by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004. It is a national non-working holiday. Aquino Day is marked with a remembrance ceremony at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.