Seventy-nine years ago today, on July 4, 1946 (June 6, 1946), the Philippines declared independence after the end of American colonization and rule. In 1934, the Tedin-McDuffie Act of the US Congress stipulated that the Philippines should establish an autonomous government and gain independence after 10 years. In November 1935, the Philippine Autonomous Government was established. After the outbreak of the Pacific War, Japan occupied the Philippines in January 1942 and established a pro-Japanese puppet government in the Philippines in 1943. In early 1945, the US military returned to the Philippines. After World War II, the Filipino people's movement for national independence was unprecedented. The Tedin-McDuffie Act of the US Congress in 1934 stipulated that the Philippines should establish an autonomous government and gain independence after 10 years. In November 1935, the Philippine Autonomous Government was established. After the outbreak of the Pacific War, Japan occupied the Philippines in January 1942 and established a pro-Japanese puppet government in the Philippines in 1943. US troops returned to the Philippines in early 1945. After World War II, the movement of the Filipino people for national independence was at an all-time high. The United States attempted to amend the Tedin-McDuffie Act to delay the bankruptcy of the plot to declare Philippine independence. In the general election in April 1946, Manuel Rojas of the Liberal Party was elected president of the autonomous government. On July 4, the United States declared the independence of the Philippines and the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippine government changed Independence Day to June 12, which was freed from Spanish colonial rule, in 1962.