03/02/2026
did you know?!
on this the same day... the American forces liberated prisoners of war in Manila.
On February 3, 1945, American forces liberated nearly 4,000 civilian prisoners of war held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila—one of the most powerful moments of hope during World War II in the Philippines.
UST, the oldest university in Asia, had been turned into a civilian internment camp by Japanese forces since 1942. Men, women, children, and the elderly endured hunger, disease, and years of uncertainty behind its walls.
As the Battle of Manila unfolded, U.S. troops from the 1st Cavalry Division, with the help of Filipino guerrillas, launched a daring and timely rescue. When American tanks broke through the UST gates, tears, cheers, and prayers filled the campus—freedom had finally arrived.
This historic liberation not only saved thousands of lives but also signaled the collapse of Japanese control in Manila and the nearing liberation of the Philippines.
A reminder that freedom often comes at a great cost—and that courage, sacrifice, and unity can change the course of history.
now you know!
