The Fall of Bataan: Celebrating Those Who Rose

Day of Valor or "Araw ng Kagitingan" is a holiday celebrated in the Philippines and on thr United States, particularly on Maywood, Illinois every April 9.

In the Philippines, Araw ng Kagitingan is a non-working holiday that falls during a long weekend. On this day, veterans of World War II march through several Philippine cities. Small parades are held throughout the Philippines, but the primary event of Araw ng Kagitingan is the president of the nation's address at the Mt. Samat shrine in the Bataan province, honoring the valor of American and Filipino soldiers in World War II.

This day commemorates the bravery of Filipino and American who faught during the World War II. On this day back in history, April 9, 1942 "The Fall of Bataan" took place, one might wonder why are we celebrating a downfall of a town to the Japanese Soldiers?

Well, when the soldiers surrendered and was captured, the Japanese led them to their camp, this was called the "Bataan Death March" due to dehydration, hunger and diseases many soldiers died even before reaching the camp. This caused the other allies to prepare such conflicts. Eventually, American and Filipino liberation forces eventually retook the Bataan peninsula on February 8, 1945.

References

Why do we celebrate araw ng kagitingan? | lumina homes. (n.d.). https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/why-do-we-celebrate-araw-ng-kagitingan-in-the-philippines/