1965 Ferdinand Marcos, running against re-electionist Diosdado Macapagal, wins the Presidency. 1966 U.S.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, seeking support in South Vietnam summit meeting held in Manila among his allies in Asia and the Pacific. The Marcos government responds by sending an engineering battalion to Vietnam despite claims for non-involvement. 1968-1969 militant student group and communist groups are formed Poverty and unemployment are one of the concerns January 1970 A series of rallies protesting politicians being involved in the forthcoming Constitutional Convention this would allow the President to run for a third term. Violence erupts when riot police are unleashed on the students. The bloody episode begins a wave of protests known as the "First-Quarter Storm."

June 1971 The Constitutional Convention organizes to replace the 1935 Constitution written during the American colonial period.

August 1971 Two hand grenades are thrown at the stage of Liberal Party rally at Plaza Miranda. President Marcos suspends the privilege of habeas corpus. November The Liberal Party won the 1971 majority of the Senate seats. Only two Marcos' party candidates are elected. January 1972 Marcos' bribery attempt exposed. Allegedly Marcos has been giving them money to make them vote against a resolution which would bar him from running for a third term and his relatives from seeking the Presidency. September Bombings rock Metro Manila. 1972 Targets are department stores and government buildings. Senator Benigno Aquino accused it is only a plan to place certain areas of the country under martial law. September 22, The car of Defense Secretary 1972 Juan Ponce Enrile is "ambushed." No one is killed.

September 23, President Marcos declares 1972 martial law. Opposition leaders and media personalities are detained, among them Senators Benigno Aquino and Jose Diokno Congress is closed and the Constitution suspended. January 1973 The final drafts of the 1973 Constitution, approved by the Convention in the absence of opposition delegates, March 1973 the 1973 Constitution is in force. July 27, 1973 President Marcos holds a poll to find out if the people want him to continue serving beyond his term so he can finish the reforms he began under martial law. According to official figures, 96.7 percent of the 18 million voters vote "Yes." February 27, Imelda Marcos, becomes the 1975 Governor of Metro Manila January 1981 Marcos lifts martial law. But he retains extralegal powers, It allowed him to order the detention of a person suspected of rebellion. June 16, 1981 1st presidential elections since the declaration of martial law

The opposition parties call for non-participation. Marcos wins 88 percent of the votes and is proclaimed President for a six-year term. August 21, Benigno Aquino is 1983 assassinated at the Manila International Airport. His alleged assassin, Rolando Galman, is killed by Aquino's millitary escorts. Mass demonstrations follow. Opposition newspapers blossom. For the first time people openly protest. September 21, NInoy supporters hold a 1983 "National Day of Sorrow" and call for unity in the ranks to topple the Marcos regime.

August 1985 Opposition MPs file a motion for impeachment against Marcos citing violation of the Constitution and "hidden wealth." The majority party crushes the motion. November 3, Marcos suddenly announces 1985 the holding of snap elections December Corazon Aquino declares her 3, 1985 candidacy for President.

February 7, A heavy voter turnout and the 1986 judging of the voters' list create confusion during the presidential elections, resulting in the disqualification of three million voters. Incidents of fraud, votebuying, intimidation, and violence are reported. Election returns are tampered with. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) tally board shows Marcos leading while the National Citizen's Movement for the Free Elections (NAMFREL) consistently shows Cory Aquino ahead by a comfortable margin. Thirty computer workers at the COMELEC tabulation center walk out, protesting the altering of election results. The Batasang Pambansa proclaims Marcos the winner as opposition assemblymen walk out. Corazon Aquino leads the People's Victory Rally at the Luneta, launches a nationwide campaign to force Marcos to step down. (Start of People Power)

February 9, 1986

February 15, 1986

February 16, 1986

February 19, 1986

February 22, 1986

The U.S. Senate passes a resolution condemning the Philippine election as fraudulent, while a House subcommittee votes to cut military aid to the Philippines as long as Marcos is in power. Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos announce their withdrawal of support for President Marcos and call for his resignation. With about 300 soldiers, they barricade the Ministry of Defense Police Headquarters. Cardinal Sin makes an appeal over Radio Veritas for people to bring food and lend moral support.

The overwhelming response results in the four-day people power revolt that topples the Marcos dictatorship. February 25, Corazon Aquino takes her 1986 oath of office as the seventh President of the Republic. In the evening, Marcos, realizing the futility of his stand, flees Malacanang with his family and supporters.