History and Numbers.

Yesterday was an extraordinary day, September 9, 2009 which is 9-9-9 in numbers. It will take another 100 years for the date to appear in these numbers again. Tomorrow, the whole world will commemorate another significant number in history which is 911. The numbers signify the date, September 11, 2001, of the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York, USA.

Indeed, numbers and history are very important in today’s world. Surprisingly, many people fail to realize the importance of history in the progress of our nation. To think that we are now in the internet technology and history and other information are within our fingertips made it worse. There’s no need to delve into thick and dusty history books and journals to review what happened in the past. But still, some of us would rather maintain our historical ignorance.

I hope that there will come a time when people will be more cognizant of their history for it is in knowing the past that we can better understand the present and prepare for a better future.

So let us bring to mind some of the memorable events that happened in the month of September in history:

September 18, 1891. Philippine national hero Jose Rizal finished his novel El Filibusterismo following the first, Noli Me Tangere. Both portrayed the struggling life of the Filipinos under the Spanish rule.

September 12, 1896. A group of revolutionaries from Cavite were executed. They are now known as the "Trece Martires de Cavite" or the thirteen martyrs of Cavite

September 18, 1935. Manuel L. Quezon was elected President of the Commonwealth with Sergio Osmena as the Vice President.

September 2, 1945. Japan surrendered to the Americans right after the war in the Pacific. The Philippines later was granted its independence but with over a million Filipino casualties. More than 60,000 Americans died and 300,000 Japanese lost their lives.

September 21, 1972. Strongman Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law under the proclamation No. 1801. Opposition leaders including former Senator Benigno Aquino, other journalists and activists were detained in Fort Bonifacio under martial law.