Manuel L. Quezon

Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina (August 19, 1878 – August 1, 1944) was the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. He is considered the second President of the Philippines, after Emilio Aguinaldo (whose administration did not receive international recognition at the time and is not considered the first president by the United States).

Presidency

In 1935 Manuel L. Quezon won the Philippine's first national presidential election against Emilio Aguinaldo and Bishop Gregorio Aglipay. His original six year term without reelection was extended by constitutional amendment, allowing him to serve two additional years for a total of eight. He was reelected in November, 1941. In a notable humanitarian act, Quezon, in cooperation with United States High Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, facilitated the entry into the Philippines of Jewish refugees fleeing fascist regimes in Europe. Quezon was also instrumental in promoting a project to resettle the refugees in Mindanao.

Related Topics:
1935 - Gregorio Aglipay - High Commissioner - Paul V. McNutt - Jew - Fascist - Mindanao

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After the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II he fled to the United States. There, he served as a member of the Pacific War Council, signed the declaration of the United Nations against the Axis Powers, and wrote his autobiography (The Good Fight, 1946).

Related Topics:
Japanese - World War II - Pacific War Council - United Nations - Axis Powers - The Good Fight - 1946

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Quezon suffered from tuberculosis and died in Saranac Lake, New York on August 1, 1944. He was initially buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His body was later carried by the USS Princeton (CV-37) and re-interred in Manila, at the Manila North Cemetery and then moved to Quezon City within the monument at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Related Topics:
Tuberculosis - Saranac Lake - New York - August 1 - 1944 - Arlington National Cemetery - USS Princeton (CV-37) - Manila - Manila North Cemetery - Quezon City - Quezon Memorial Circle

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Quezon was married to his first cousin Aurora Aragón and had four children: María Aurora, María Zeneida, Luisa Corazón Paz and Manuel Jr.

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