Celebrated In: Philippines
National Heroes' Day is a national holiday of Philippines, celebrated to pay homage to the National Heroes of the country. Every year this day falls on the fourth Monday of August.
Initially National Heroes’ day was celebrated on 30th of November as it was the birthday of Andres Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan. Later this day moves to the fourth Monday of August, to pay tribute to all other known or unknown men and women who sacrificed their lives for Philippine freedom.
The Philippines name of National Heroes' Day is Araw ng mga Bayani.
Whilst National Heroes Day celebrates both known and unknown heroes, a National Heroes Committee was set up in 1995 to recommend those who should be counted as ‘National Heroes’. Following certain criteria, they found a select group of people who, they believed, should be honored for their deeds. These were:
- Jose Rizal
- Andres Bonifacio
- Emilio Aguinaldo
- Apolinario Mabini
- Marcelo H. del Pilar
- Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
- Juan Luna
- Melchora Aquino
- Gabriela Silang
