September 23, 1972 – The day that President Ferdinand Marcos announced on television that he had placed the entirety of the Philippines under martial law. In this clip from our short film "Towards a Working Democracy", we recount the impact of that day and proclamation. #TodayInHistory *The full short film was originally located at the end of our Dioramas of Philippine History. First mounted in 2004, this short film tells the continuing story of the Filipino. | Ayala Museum

A DAY OF INFAMY: THE 1972 DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW IN THE PHILIPPINES On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. declared martial law across the Philippines. This move, officially announced two days later on September 23, suspended civil rights, abolished Congress, and placed the country under military rule. Marcos justified the declaration by citing a need to suppress civil unrest and the growing threat of a communist takeover, referencing bombings in Manila and the re-establis