Day of Valor
| Day of Valor | |
|---|---|
President Bongbong Marcos offering a wreath at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, during the Day of Valor in 2024 | |
| Official name | Araw ng Kagitingan |
| Also called |
|
| Observed by | Philippines (nationwide), United States (Maywood, Illinois) |
| Significance | Commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II |
| Date | April 9 |
| Next time | April 9, 2026 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | April 9, 1961 (as a Philippine holiday) |
The Day of Valor, officially known as Araw ng Kagitingan, is a national observance in the Philippines that commemorates the fall of Bataan and the Battle of Corregidor against Japanese troops during World War II. The day is officially celebrated every April 9, marking the start of the Bataan Death March, although the date has been moved on several occasions to avoid coinciding with the observance of Holy Week in the country, particularly the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday, such as in 2004, 2009, 2020, and 2023.
Due to Bataan's significance in World War II, the holiday was officially known as Bataan Day or Corregidor Day prior to the 2000s and is still referred to by these names by some. In the United States, the holiday is observed in Maywood, Illinois, where it continues to be known by its former name.