Philippine nationalist, writer and national hero, José Rizal was born on June 19, 1861.

José Rizal (1861-1896), book “Noli Mi Tangere” | José Rizal (1861-1896), Heidelberg University | José Rizal (1861-1896), Heidelberg University
From the José Rizal (1861-1896) series
Issued by Philippine’s post February 21, 1986

José Rizal is remembered today throughout the Philippines for his brilliance, courage, peaceful resistance to tyranny, and compassion. Filipino schoolchildren study his final literary work, a poem called “Mi Ultimo Adios“ (“My Last Goodbye”), and his two famous novels.

Spurred by Rizal’s martyrdom, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. With assistance from the United States, the Philippine archipelago defeated the Spanish army. The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, becoming the first democratic republic in Asia. 
Jose Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines (thoughtco.com)