Marcos Era

Marcos Elected President

Dec 30, 1965

Hopeful public liked both Marcos and Imelda as they appeared to be young, energetic, and "of the people".

Marcos Re-election

Dec 30, 1969

Marcos' reelection was very controversial. The election was fraught with bribery, threats, and blackmail. One of the cheapest occurrences was when pictures of people voting for free rice were showed as proof of Marcos support.

First Quarter Storm

Period: Jan 1, 1970 to Mar 31, 1970

Student activists led demonstrations expressing anger at the country's economy and Marcos. These protests were a major reason for the declaration of Martial Law.

Battle of Mendiola

Jan 30, 1970

There was a confrontation between student demonstrators and police. The confrontation ended in the deaths of four students.

First Constitutional Congress

Jun 11, 1971

Marcos attempts to change the Philippines to a parliamentary system, allowing him to stay in power.

Bombing of Plaza Miranda

Aug 21, 1971

Bombing of an Opposition rally by communists. Allowed Marcos to remove the right of habeas corpus, allowing him to arrest anyone.

Martial Law Declared

Sep 23, 1972

Marcos declared martial law in order to "Protect the Phillippines from communists" and stay in power.

Ninoy Aquino/Jose Diokno arrested

Sep 23, 1972

They were arrested under charges of treason and sentenced in front of a military tribunal to death by firing squad.

Martial Law

Period: Sep 23, 1972 to Jan 17, 1981

Martial Law started in order to allow Marcos to stay in Power. Martial Law ended because the Pope was going to visit the Philippines and Marcos did not wish to look bad infront of a very influencial figure.

Marcos Constitution Ratified

Jan 17, 1973

Marcos tricked the people into voting for the constitution by asking them if they "wanted free rice". Everyone said yes, and the media took photographs and showed them as "everyone agreed to the constitution".

LABAN Party Founded

Jan 1, 1978

LABAN means fight in Tagalog. Lead by Ninoy Aquino

Noise Barrage

Apr 6, 1978

Happened on the night before elections in order to show that people support the LABAN party.

Marcos Elections

Jun 16, 1981

These elections were boycotted by the opposition, as they saw that Marcos was trying to improve his democratic image by "winning" and election.

Ninoy Aquino Assasinated

Aug 21, 1983

Aquino was returning from the US after a 3-year stay. He had gone to the US as he required a heart bypass operation. He was shot dead as he disembarked from his plane. No one knows who ordered his assassination.

Confetti Revolution

Period: Aug 21, 1983 to Feb 25, 1986

This was a period marked by peaceful protests where protesters would throw yellow (the color of the revolution) confetti out of office buildings. CEO's and businessmen couldn't ignore this, as many of these protests were held in the business districts.

Marcos Calls for Snap Elections

Nov 3, 1985

Marcos called for snap elections after his legitimacy as a popular president was questioned during an interview on a US TV station. This eventually led to his undoing, as, even though he won, almost nobody recognized him as the leader, and Cory Aquino's government was formed.

Marcos Family Flees the Phillippines

Feb 25, 1986

With the help of the US government, Marcos and his family flee to Hawaii, taking with them around 10 million dollars in jewelery and other belongings.

EDSA Uprising

Period: Mar 22, 1986 to Mar 25, 1986

Ended the Marcos regime. The Church urged citizens to go out in the streets and protect the military defectors Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile with there bodies. Lasted three days. US helped Marcos and his family escape.