Fourth of July and the Philippine-American Friendship Day, 2020
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 05 Jul 2020
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America and Francis Scott Key, the composer of Star-Spangled Banner, would have enjoyed meeting Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. They were men of valor and integrity just like the fighting senator from the Philippines.
Today, Fourth of July 2020, marks the 244th year in existence of the United States of America since the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the United States Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
In the Philippines, the Philippine-American Friendship Day (formerly known as Philippine-American Day) is commemorated, a tradition that dates back to 1955 when former President Ramon Magsaysay, by virtue of Proclamation No. 212, s. 1955, established the observance of “Philippine American Day.” The following year, by virtue of Proclamation No. 363, s. 1956, the celebration became a yearly event. During former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos’ administration, the event was formally changed to Philippine-American Friendship Day.
(Source: http://www.congress.gov.ph/)
What better way to celebrate two historic occasions than to enjoy a sustained note from 8-division boxing great Senator Emmanuel “ Manny” Pacquiao of the Republic of the Philippines.
https://youtu.be/9fEOGsfk-1c
Video courtesy of Mr. Robert Lyons, CEO, Starflite International, Inc.
Painting courtesy of Mr. Jun Aquino.
During his visit to Washington, D.C., Philippine Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao presented this painting to former President Barrack Obama on the 63rd annual U.S. National Prayer Breakfast back in February 2015. (Photo by Andrew Kyle Aquino)
_______________________________________________
Star-Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key (lyrics) and John Stafford Smith (music)
O say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The earliest surviving sheet music of National anthem of the United States
"The Star-Spangled Banner", from 1814.
_________________________________________________________________________
July 4, 1946: In ceremonies held in the temporary Independence Grandstand (built in front of the Rizal Monument), the Philippine flag is raised while the U.S. flag is lowered. The flagpole in front of the Rizal Monument is thus known as the Independence Flagpole, commemorating the culmination of the quest for national independence.
July 4, 1946: During the inauguration of the Third Republic, President Manuel Roxas shakes the hand of General Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur of the United States, then the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP).
Happy 244th Birthday, America...land of the free and the home of the brave!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
Wed, 24 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
Wed, 24 Jun 2026AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
Wed, 24 Jun 2026Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 24 Jun 2026Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 24 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026
By Eric Armit, Tue, 23 Jun 2026Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 23 Jun 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS KICK-OFF FIGHT WEEK WITH STORMY FIRST FACE-OFF IN BROOKLYN
Tue, 23 Jun 2026Santisima, Apolinar stop foes
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Jun 2026BOOTS: I FEEL GREAT AT 154
Tue, 23 Jun 2026Bohat is PBF Silver bantamweight champion
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Jun 2026Mexican Boxing Olympic Team returns with bronze medal from Guiyang 2026
Tue, 23 Jun 2026Lastimosa is PBF Youth light fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 22 Jun 2026Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds
Sun, 21 Jun 2026Pascuale Perez: Argentina's First World Champion
By Ray Dunbar, Sun, 21 Jun 2026