August 21 is Ninoy Aquino Day in the Philippines, commemorating the assassination in 1983 of Former Senator Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Aquino was the governor of the Philippine state of Tarlac and a well-known critic of then-President Ferdinando Marcos, for which he was imprisoned for eight years. During his time in prison, Aquino continued to fight for democracy and against the oppression of the Filipino people.
After suffering a heart attack in March 1980, he and his family moved to the United States for medical treatment, and he remained there in exile for three years. He continued his advocacy, however, by giving speeches to the Filipino-American community, writing, and other activities.
In 1983 he returned to the islands to challenge Marcos for the parliamentary elections. Upon arriving in Manila International Airport, he was shot and killed on August 21, 1983 as he was escorted off the plane by security personnel. This led to several protests that sparked the snap presidential elections of 1986, catapulting his wife, Corazon Aquino, into the presidency.
The airport has since then been renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
This image of was created by the government of the Philippines and is in the public domain.
365 Holidays a Year 