José Rizal

19 June 1861 – 30 December 1896

José Rizal (1861-1896) was a Filipino nationalist, physician, and writer, regarded as the national hero of the Philippines. His novels 'Noli Me Tángere' and 'El Filibusterismo' exposed abuses of Spanish colonial rule and inspired the Philippine independence movement. He was executed by Spanish authorities in 1896 on charges of rebellion, and his death galvanized the Philippine Revolution.

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Life events

Born in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
19 June 1861

Born José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda to a prosperous farming family in Calamba.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila
1872 – 1877

Earned his Bachelor of Arts with highest honors at the Jesuit-run Ateneo Municipal in 1877.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Sailed to Spain to continue his studies
3 May 1882

Left the Philippines in 1882 without his parents' knowledge to study medicine in Madrid.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Completed his medical degree at the Universidad Central de Madrid
1884

Earned his licentiate in medicine in 1884 and later pursued further ophthalmology training in Paris and Heidelberg.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published 'Noli Me Tángere' in Berlin
1887

His first novel, a searing critique of Spanish colonial society and the friar orders in the Philippines, was printed in Berlin in 1887.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published 'El Filibusterismo' in Ghent
1891

His darker second novel, published in Belgium in 1891, deepened his indictment of colonial abuses.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Exiled to Dapitan on Mindanao
July 1892 – July 1896

Deported to Dapitan, where he spent four years practicing medicine, teaching, and pursuing scientific work.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded La Liga Filipina in Manila
3 July 1892

Established a civic organization advocating peaceful reform, days before his arrest by Spanish authorities.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Arrested and tried for rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy
October 1896 – 26 December 1896

After the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, he was arrested en route to Cuba and convicted by a Spanish military court despite having no role in the uprising.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Executed by firing squad in Manila
30 December 1896

Shot at Bagumbayan field (now Rizal Park) at age 35; his martyrdom galvanized the Philippine independence movement.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓