Seal of Manila
As the capital of the Spanish colony, Maynila became the seat of the colonial government, education, religion, and trade. The city would become witness to an era of significant change in the islands as the conquistadores began its more than 300-year reign.
1571
16 May
Legazpi reaches the bay leading to Maynila and sends a message to its ruler, Rajah Sulayman, urging submission to Spanish authority.
19 May
Legazpi's forces assault Maynila, encountering strong resistance from Rajah Sulayman’s warriors. The town is set ablaze once again, prompting Sulayman’s troops to withdraw. Legazpi then lands in Maynila, seizing control of the ravaged settlement.
3 June
Manila is granted the royal title of city by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the newly appointed governor and captain-general of the Philippines.
24 June
Legazpi establishes a town council, known as a cabildo, comprising 12 aldermen, a secretary, and a public notary for Manila. Additionally, a court is set up with two judges, two public notaries, and a constable. These actions formalize the creation of the first municipal government in the nascent Spanish colony, with the date commemorated annually as Manila’s foundation day.
1572
20 August
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first governor-general of the Philippines, dies in Manila and his remains are interred in San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
1574
21 June
King Philip II of Spain officially approves the name bestowed by the late governor-general Legazpi on the City of Manila: Insigne e Siempre Leal Ciudad (Most Noble and Ever Loyal City).
September
The Chinese pirate Limahong, commanding a fleet of 60 ships carrying 2,000 soldiers and seamen, sets sail towards Manila and first anchors at Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
November
During the looming threat of the Chinese pirate Limahong's attack on Manila, Rajah Lakandula of Tondo leads a rebellion against the Spanish, protesting the mistreatment of fellow natives. Meanwhile, Sioco, one of Limahong's generals, lands in Parañaque and advances towards Manila to launch an assault.
December
Limahong and his fleet depart from Manila and establish a kingdom near the mouth of the Agno River in Pangasinan. In the subsequent year, an expedition led by Captain Juan de Salcedo successfully defeats Limahong's forces, although the pirate manages to evade capture.
1578
6 February
Pope Gregory XIII issues a papal bull authorizing the establishment of an episcopal see and the construction of a cathedral within the walled city of Intramuros in the newly founded city of Manila.
1581
Within the year Fray Domingo de Salazar, the recently appointed Bishop of Manila, arrives in the city along with the Jesuits and initiates the construction of the episcopal see of Manila.
17 July
Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa sends a letter to King Philip II, proposing that Manila be designated as the capital or cabecera of the Philippines. He cites Manila's extensive area, sizable population, and well-functioning city government as reasons for this recommendation.
1619
15 August
The University of Santo Tomas is inaugurated following the grant of authority to confer degrees by Pope Paul V
on 11 March 1619.
1621
5 August
Ten Franciscan nuns from Cadiz, Spain, arrive to establish a convent and monastery within Intramuros, which later becomes known as the Monasterio de Santa Clara.
1645
30 November
Manila is struck by a powerful earthquake, resulting in the destruction of numerous buildings within Intramuros, reducing them to rubble.
1648
8 July
The Audiencia Real of Spain confirms the papal bull issued in November 1645, officially recognizing the University of Santo Tomas as a permanent university.
1717
24 August
Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante assumes the role of governor-general of the Philippines. His time in office is characterized by frequent tensions and conflicts with the Spanish community and religious orders, eventually resulting in his assassination.
1719
Governor Bustamante endeavors to diminish the isolation of northern Luzon by issuing orders for the construction of interconnected presidios. These presidios are planned to be built starting from Pampanga in the south and Nueva Segovia in the north, with the intention of converging in Paniqui, Tarlac.
11 October
Governor Bustamante is assassinated when a mob led by friars storms his palace in Intramuros.
1726
23 July
The galleon Santo Cristo de Burgos, sailing from Manila to Mexico, is wrecked by a storm near Ticao, close to the San Bernardino Strait. This incident results in the loss of a year's worth of investment by the citizens of Manila.
22 September
The galleon Santo Cristo de Burgos, sailing from Manila to Mexico, is wrecked by a storm near Ticao, close to the San Bernardino Strait. This incident results in the loss of a year's worth of investment by the citizens of Manila.
1 October
Simon de Anda is appointed as lieutenant-governor and captain-general by Archbishop Rojo. In response to the British invasion, Anda escapes from the city to avoid capture and establishes a government-in-exile in Bacolor, Pampanga.
6 October
Archbishop Manuel Rojo, serving as the temporary governor-general, decides to surrender Manila to the British forces to prevent additional destruction of the city and the loss of civilian lives.
1763
10 February
The Treaty of Paris, signed between Great Britain and Spain, stipulates the return of the Philippines to Spanish control following the period of British occupation.
27 June
A combined force of Chinese and British troops engages Governor Anda's Spanish and Filipino forces in Malinta, Bulacan.
1764
31 May
Governor Anda leads his forces into Manila to retake the city from the British invaders.
