Timeline or Chronology of Historical Events that shaped the Philippines to what it is today
| 500,000 BC | — | Earliest known humans live in the Cagayan caves. |
| 55,000 BC | — | Early Homo sapiens emerge in the Philippines |
| 40,000 BC | — | Migrants from Asian mainland cross land bridges and settle in the archipelago |
| 1400 | — | 14th Century – Muslim clergymen bring Islam to the Philippines from Indonesia and Malaya |
| 1521 | Mar 16 | Ferdinand Magellan lands in Homonhon Island |
| 1521 | Mar 31 | Celebration of first Mass at Limasawa Island or Masao |
| 1521 | Apr 7 | Magellan lands in Cebu; makes a blood compact with Rajah Humabon. |
| 1521 | Apr 27 | Magellan is killed by Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan |
| 1567 | Jun 4 | Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Rajah Tupas of Cebu make a treaty for the later to recognize Spain’s sovereignty over Cebu. |
| 1571 | Jan 1 | Miguel Lopez De Legaspi establishes first Spanish settlement in Cebu |
| 1571 | Jun 24 | Formal establishment of the city of Manila by Conquistador Legaspi. |
| 1574 | Nov 6 | Uprising against the Spaniards led by Rajah Lakandula, king of Tondo. |
| 1583 | May 5 | Establishment of the Royal Audiencia, the highest judicial body during the Spanish regime. |
| 1595 | Aug 15 | Elevation of Manila into an archbishopric and dividing the Philippines into four dioceses namely: Manila, Cebu, Nueva Caceres, and Nueva Segovia. |
| 1609 | May 26 | Spaniards introduce forced labor among Filipino Men |
| 1611 | Apr 25 | Establishment of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the first University in Asia |
| 1815 | Sep 14 | End of the Galleon Trade between the Philippines and Mexico |
| 1820 | Oct 22 | Spanish Cortes passes a bill granting press freedom in the country. |
| 1834 | Sep 6 | Opening of the entire Philippines to world trade |
| 1849 | Nov 11 | Adoption of Christian and Spanish surnames is decreed by Governor General Narciso Claveria. |
| 1889 | Feb 15 | Establishment of the La Solidaridad as the organ of the Propaganda Movement. |
| 1889 | Jul 31 | By a Royal Decree, the Spanish Civil Code is made applicable in the Philippines |
| 1892 | Jul 7 | The KKK or Katipunan Movement is organized in Tondo, Manila. |
| 1896 | Aug 30 | Battle of Pinaglabanan. Governor General Blanco declares war in 8 provinces: Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. |
| 1896 | Dec 30 | Execution of Dr. Jose Rizal in Luneta |
| 1897 | Mar 22 | Establishment of a revolutionary government at the Tejeros Convention to replace the Katipunan. Emilio Aguinaldo is elected president with Andres Bonifacio as Secretary of Interior. |
| 1897 | May 10 | Andres Bonifacio and his brother are executed in Mt. Buntis, Cavite. They were previously charged of treason. |
| 1897 | Dec 11 | The Pact of Biak-Na-Bato was signed, temporarily halting the hostilities between the Filipino Revolutionaries and Spanish Forces |
| 1898 | Jun 12 | Philippine Independence is proclaimed by General Emilio Aguinaldo at Kawit, Cavite. |
| 1898 | Aug 14 | Americans establishes a military government with General Wesley Merritt as the first American military governor of the Philippines. |
| 1898 | Nov 29 | The revolutionary congress approves the Malolos Constitution. |
| 1898 | Dec 10 | The Treaty of Paris is signed whereby Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for US$20 Million |
| 1899 | Feb 5 | President Emilio Aguinaldo declares war against the United States |
| 1899 | Feb 6 | United States Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris |
| 1899 | Jun 5 | Assassination of General Antonio Luna by guards of Emilio Aguinaldo. |
| 1899 | Jun 30 | Official end of the Philippine revolution when the last Spanish Forces finally surrendered in Baler, Aurora and President Aguinaldo gave them safe passes to return to Spain. |
| 1899 | Aug 20 | Signing of Bates Agreement whereby Muslims will not be involved in Filipino-American War |
| 1901 | Mar 23 | Capture of President Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela |
| 1901 | Nov 4 | The Sedition Law is passed to prohibit any person from advocating independence |
| 1902 | Jul 1 | Philippine Bill of 1902 is approved by US Congress to establish a Civil government of the Philippines |
| 1916 | Aug 19 | U.S. Congress enacts the Jones Law promising independence to the Philippines |
| 1930 | Nov 7 | Organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Tondo, Manila |
| 1934 | Jul 10 | Election of delegates to the Convention to draft a Philippine Constitution |
| 1935 | Mar 23 | Approval of the 1935 Philippine Costitution by US President Roosevelt |
| 1935 | Sep 17 | First national election in the Philippines to elect president and vice-president |
| 1942 | Jan 2 | Japanese Forces enters Manila |
| 1942 | Apr 9 | Fall of Bataan to the Japanese during World War II |
| 1944 | Oct 20 | General MacArthur’s landing in Leyte |
| 1945 | Aug 17 | President Jose P. Laurel announces dissolution of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic |
| 1946 | Jul 4 | Philippine Independence is recognized by the United States |
| 1972 | Sep 21 | President Ferdinand Marcos issues Presidential Decree 1081 placing the country under martial law |
| 1983 | Aug 21 | Former Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino is assassinated |
| 1986 | Feb 7 | Snap presidential election pitting Corazon Aquino against Ferdinand Marcos |
| 1986 | Feb 25 | Corazon C. Aquino takes oath as president ending the 20 years of Marcos rule |
| 1986 | Mar 25 | Aquino Government adopts Freedom Constitution to end her revolutionary government |
| 1987 | Feb 2 | Ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution |
| 2000 | Nov 13 | Impeachment complaint against President Joseph Estrada is forwarded to the senate for trial. |
| 2001 | Jan 20 | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo takes oath as President succeeding Joseph Estrada who was forced out of power |
| 2009 | Aug 1 | Former President Corazon Aquino dies |
| 2010 | Jun 30 | Benigno Simeon Aquino III takes oath as the 15th president of the Philippines |
| 2016 | Jun 30 | Rodrigo Duterte takes oath as the 16th president of the Philippines |
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