31 August

Moments before the execution of the brave, patriotic Katipuneros

 1896 - Fifty-seven Katipuneros are executed at Bagumbayan (future Luneta) by the cruel Spanish colonial authorities, marking the start of a reign of terror one day after the bloody, virtually hand-to-hand two-part battle at San Juan del Monte (future "Battle of Pinaglaban") that marks the first major conflict of the Philippine Revolution; the executions occurs two days after Supremo Andres Bonifacio y de Castro led the march to San Juan del Monte for the launch of the general uprising of the Himagsikan, leading to their initial seizure of the El Polvorin (Almacen de Polvora) powder magazine but concluding in the death of around 150 and capture of some 200 Katipuneros, including the first 57 executed in Bagumbayan; with the wildfire of the revolution spreading in the country, the Spanish colonial Governor-General Ramon Blanco  declared Martial law  in eight provinces of Luzon island on the day of the outbreak of the Himagsikan and a week after the Cry of Balintawak declaring the start of the nationwide armed revolution against the colonial enemy; three days earlier, revolutionary President/Supremo Bonifacio  issued a manifesto setting  August 29 as the beginning of the general uprising, less than a week after the Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan nang manga Anak nang Bayan,  the underground organization aspiring for total separation from colonial Spain, was hastily transformed into a revolutionary national government.

1897 -- Gregorio del Pilar, a lieutenant-colonel in the Philippine revolutionary army fighting colonial Spain during the second stage of the Himagsikan, stages a famous assault on the barracks of the Spanish cazadores in the town convent of Paombong, Bulacan; del Pilar's extraordinary combination of wit, courage and muscles in combat will catch the attention of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine Revolution who succeeded Supremo Andres Bonifacio that he had earlier ordered executed, and will soon make del Pilar part of Aguinado's circle of revolutionary leaders.

-- The Battle of Aliaga in Nueva Ecija is fought between the Spaniards and Filipino revolutionaries during the second phase of the Philippine Revolution, with colonial Governor-General Primo de Rivera utilizing 8,000 men against the forces under the command of Generals Mamerto Natividad and  Manuel Tinio; Spanish General Nuñez would be among those seriously wounded in this huge battle of the Philippine Revolution.