09 September, 1878
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY:
Sergio Osmeña Sr., Speaker of the first Philippine Assembly and second President of the Commonwealth, was born in Cebu City. Osmeña led several missions to the United States to campaign for Philippine independence. He became instrumental in gaining commonwealth status for the Philippines in 1935.
A known right-hand man and confidante of Manuel L. Quezon, Osmena supported the former as President of the Philippine Commonwealth by serving as vice president. They were reelected for another term in 1941. Osmeña assumed the presidency in 1944 after the death of Quezon on August 1, 1944 and sat until May 28, 1946.
Osmeña died on October 19, 1961 at the age of 83. He was buried at the Manila North Cemetery.
(Ref: Philippine News Agency; Photo from britannica.com)