Wanderlust World Wanderlust World
* 200,000–50,000 years ago: First human arrivals in the Philippines, likely from mainland Asia.
* 10,000–5000 years ago: Development of agriculture in the Philippines, with rice as the main crop.
* 5000–3000 years ago: Emergence of complex societies, characterized by the development of writing, metallurgy, and trade.
* 3000–1000 years ago: Arrival of Austronesian-speaking peoples from Taiwan, who brought with them new technologies, such as ironworking and sailing.
Classical Period
* 1000–1300 AD: Emergence of powerful empires, such as the Srivijaya and Majapahit Empires, which ruled over much of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
* 1300–1500 AD: Rise of Islam in the Philippines, spread by traders and missionaries from the Middle East.
Age of Exploration
* 1521: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrives in the Philippines, becoming the first European to do so.
* 1543: Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos names the islands "Las Islas Filipinas" after King Philip II of Spain.
* 1565: Spanish conquistadors led by Miguel López de Legazpi establish the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, in Cebu.
* 1571: Manila is founded by Spanish conquistadors, becoming the capital of the Spanish East Indies.
The Philippines During the Spanish Colonial Period
* 1571-1898: The Philippines remains under Spanish rule for over 300 years, with the Spanish authorities establishing a centralized government, introducing Christianity, and promoting economic development.
* 1896: The Philippine Revolution begins, with the Filipinos seeking independence from Spanish rule.
* 1898: The United States declares war on Spain and, with the help of the Filipino revolutionaries, defeats the Spanish forces in the Philippines.
The Philippines During the American Colonial Period
* 1898–1946: The United States rules over the Philippines, establishing a colonial government and promoting economic development and education.
* 1941: The Japanese invade the Philippines during World War II.
* 1946: The Philippines gains its independence from the United States.
The Philippines After Independence
* 1946-1986: The Philippines experiences political instability, with a succession of authoritarian regimes and democratic governments.
* 1986: The People Power Revolution ousts authoritarian president Ferdinand Marcos and restores democracy in the Philippines.
* 1992: The Philippines adopts a new constitution, establishing a democratic government with a strong executive branch.
* 2010: Benigno Aquino III is elected president of the Philippines, pledging to fight corruption and improve the economy.