ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Timeline of Philippine history

Okay kiddo, let's talk about the timeline of Philippine history. A long time ago, there were already people living in the Philippines, even before the Spanish arrived. They were the Austronesian-speaking people who came from other parts of Southeast Asia. These people lived in small communities and they were called the "barangay".

Fast forward to the 16th century, the Spanish arrived in the Philippines and colonized the country. They introduced Christianity and the Spanish language to the locals. They established the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, which made the Philippines a commercial hub in Asia.

However, the Filipinos were not happy with the Spanish rule. So, in 1896, the Philippine Revolution broke out, led by national hero Andres Bonifacio. They fought for their independence from Spain and even declared a republic in 1898.

But then, the United States came into the picture. They defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and took over the Philippines as a colony. The Filipinos continued to fight for their independence and their struggles were highlighted in the life of Jose Rizal, another Filipino hero who was executed by the Spanish before the revolution started.

In 1941, the Philippines was invaded by Japan during World War II. The Filipinos fought against the Japanese with the help of the United States, and they eventually regained their freedom in 1945.

The Philippines then became a Republic in 1946, with Manuel Roxas as its first President. Through the years, the country underwent many challenges, like corruption and political turmoil, but it remains a strong and resilient nation.

So that's the story, kiddo. The Philippines has a rich history filled with heroes, battles, and struggles for independence. But despite all that, the Filipinos continue to move forward and strive for a better future.