In June Rizal decides to switch gears in his educational pursuits and transfers into the

José Rizal Life Timeline medical courses at St. Tomas University. During this time he also writes an additional two
poems that win him further recognition.
José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, wrote many political pieces which expressed Advertisement
the feelings of many about the Spanish colonization and the potential for a democracy. The 1880
following timeline follows Rizal's biography throughout his life. At the age of 19 Rizal writes another poem for a competition where he should have won first
prize. However, he was not given this prize due to discrimination.
José Rizal's Early Life In December Rizal produces his first Operetta called On the Banks of the Pasig.
1848 1881
José Rizal’s mom, Teodora Morales Alonso-Realonda y Rizal creates the commemorative medal in wax for the Royal Economic Society of Friends
Quintos, and dad, Francisco Rizal-Mercado y Alejandra, centennial celebration.
marry on June 28th. Emigrating
1861 1882
On June 19th José Rizal is born to become the seventh In May Rizal gets money from his brother and travels secretly from Manila to Spain aboard a
child born to his parents. Three days later Rizal French ship and railroad entering Spain at the Port Bou.
was christened with the name Jose Protasio Rizal- In June St. Tomas University realizes Rizal is nowhere to be found and threatens to take land
Mercado y Alonso-Realonda. away from his father who is a tenant even though his father has no idea of his whereabouts.
1870 June 15 Rizal makes his arrival in Barcelona and begins to study again in Madrid in October
José begins school under the instruction of Justiniano of that same year.
Aquin Cruz at just nine years of age. 1886
1871 Rizal receives a degree in medicine from the Central University of Madrid at the age of 23.
José continues his education under the instruction of Lucas Padua. He then becomes an assistant to Dr. L. de Wecker and visits many universities in Berlin,
1872 Leipzig, and Heidelberg in the country of Germany.
Rizal is examined by those in charge of college entrance to St. Tomas University in Manila; Fame... Then Death and Legacy
he enters the school system as a scholar. 1887
1875 Rizal finishes his first novel titled Noli Me Tangere while staying in Berlin. The novel
Rizal enters the Ateneo as a boarder at just 14 years of age. offends Catholic officials and Rizal is deemed to be a troublemaker
1876 He then travels to Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
At the age of 15, Rizal receives a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Ateneo de Manila. He On July 3 Rizal leaves from Mersailles in Italy and arrives in Manila on August 5th. He
not only receives this degree, but receives it with the highest honors possible. travels to nearby areas escorted by a Spanish Lieutenant.
1877 1888
In June José begins to go to school at St. Tomas University in Manila where he In February Rizal leaves Spain and sets sail for Hong Kong in Japan. He continued to travel
studies philosophy. practice medicine and write.
Writing Career Advertisement
1877 1892
In November Rizal writes a poem and receives rec ognition for his writing from the In August Rizal was detained aboard a ship traveling back to Spain. Rizal was charged with
Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country, also known as Amigos del Pals. The treason, sedition, and the formation of illegal societies. He was sent to an island and held.
recognition comes in the form of a diploma of merit and honorable mention. He taught for four years while being held.
1878
He met a girl named Josephine Bracken who he wanted to marry but the church refused to
give him a license to marry.
He penned his last piece of writing called My Last Farewell and wrote an address to Filipino
insurgents to lay down their arms against the Spanish. The address was never made public,
but was added to the list of charges against him.
1896
His request to go to Cuba was approved. On the way to Cuba he was arrested and charged
with conspiracy and sedition.
On December 27 he was condemned to death in a Spanish court
On December 30th he was permitted to marry Josephine two hours before he was shot by a
firing squad.
He was buried in a secret grave.
1912
On December 30th the ashes of Rizal were transferred to the Rizal Mausoleum and
December 30th is declared a national holiday in honor of his memory.
José Rizal's life and works were critical to those from the Philippines who were looking for
an end to Spanish colonization.