July 4, 1946The United States grants independence to the Philippines, a predominantly Roman Catholic country with a minority of several million Muslims concentrated on smaller southern islands.

Uncover the complex story of how America took control of the Philippines, tracing the history from the Spanish-American War ...

The Philippines promoted the country’s economic diplomacy initiatives, culture and tradition in Geneva, Switzerland.

Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870, according to the Library of Congress. Later, Congress reaffirmed it as a paid holiday for federal employees in 1938.