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Filipino-American Friendship Day

Celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day with an unforgettable day of fun, culture, and friendship!

Saturday

July 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJuly 4

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYCulture

SUBCATEGORYAsian Heritage

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day on July 4th and honor the special bond between the two countries! This holiday was first created in 1998 as a way to recognize the strong relationship between the United States and The Philippines. Since then, it has become an important day to commemorate all of the contributions both countries have made to each other's history, culture and development. From sharing food recipes to supporting each other in times of need, Filipino-American Friendship Day is a great opportunity to show your appreciation for both nations. So let's get together on this special day and celebrate our friendship!

TIMELINE

Filipino-American Friendship Day Timeline

Spanish-American War Ends

In the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States, ending the Spanish-American War.

Tydings-McDuffie Act

The Tydings-McDuffie Act established the Philippines as a self-governing commonwealth, and planned out their path to full independence.

Philippine Independence

On July 4th, the United States formally recognized the independence of the Republic of the Philippines.

Celebration Shift

The Philippines moved their Independence Day celebration to June 12th, the date they originally declared independence from Spain in 1898.

Establishment of Friendship Day

Filipino-American Friendship Day was established, choosing to celebrate on July 4th, the date both nations have shared significant historical events.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day

Host a potluck

Gather your Filipino and American friends together to celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day by hosting a potluck. Ask each person to bring a dish that is traditional in their culture.

ATTEND

Attend a cultural event

Check out the local Filipino or American cultural events in your area and attend one with your friends. This is an excellent way to experience the cultures of both countries.

Share stories

Spend time with friends sharing stories about your culture, customs, and traditions. Learning about each other’s culture is an excellent way to celebrate Filipino-American Friendship Day.

PLAY

Play some music

Put on some traditional Filipino or American music and dance the night away. It’s a great way to celebrate the friendship between the two countries.

ENJOY

Enjoy some food

Gather around for a meal of traditional dishes from both countries. Enjoying food together is an easy and fun way to show appreciation for each other’s culture.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Filipino-American Friendship Day is Important

Celebrates the love for our shared histories

Filipinos and Americans have shared a history since the US annexed the Philippines in 1898 after winning against Spain in the Spanish–American War. Celebrating Filipino American Friendship Day acknowledges this past while also celebrating and honoring the bond that exists today.

Promotes cultural understanding

Holding an event such as Filipino-American Friendship Day allows people from both countries to interact and share their cultures. By learning about each other through conversations, activities, or meals, both groups can gain a better understanding of one another, leading to a more harmonious relationship between the two nations.

Strengthens relationships and connection

Cultivating strong connections between Filipinos and Americans is important for both countries. By creating opportunities for meaningful exchange, they canestablish new friendships while strengthening existing relationships. This deepens ties between the two nations which leads to mutual understanding and trust.

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TUE

Jun 2026

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