Thirty-nine years ago today, on February 27, 1986 (January 19, 1986 lunar calendar), Corazon Aquino became president of the Philippines. Aquino became president of the Philippines on February 27, 1986, after a failed election and denial by the United States, Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines, where he had ruled for 20 years under an increasingly authoritarian dictatorship. He was defeated and elected president by Corazon Aquino. "We are finally free," she said. "Our country has been reborn." Marcos has brought the country to the brink of military confrontation. It was at the urging of the United States that he agreed to step down. Mr. Marcos, 68, who was prepared to step down but defiantly refused to recognize the results of the election earlier this month, was apparently defeated by Mr. Aquino, the widow of an assassinated anti-Marcos politician who described herself as a housewife. He took the oath of office at a ceremony at the presidential palace after Mr. Marcos's victory was declared by the Marcos-controlled Congress. Meanwhile, Mr. Aquino, as president of the interim government, gave an inaugural address among her supporters. The military watched from the sidelines. As thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protect officers who had broken away from Mr. Marcos, the military brushed aside. Faced with a paralyzed army, Mr. Marcos felt he had lost the support of the United States that he had sought so desperately. The White House said it was pointless for Mr. Marcos to remain in office. "It's time to get rid of it, to get rid of it," Senator Paul Lazart, Reagan's special envoy, told Marcos. With the help of the Americans, Marcos, his wife and his supporting entourage fled to the safe haven of Hawaii. When he arrived in Honolulu, he was found with 22 wooden crates containing $1.20 million worth of new Philippine currency. One of the first steps Aquino took when he took office was the release of 34 political prisoners. The new president also called for a new Philippine constitution. Aquino addressed her supporters. Marcos arrived in Honolulu