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:
THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025