Independence Flagpole, Historic flagpole in Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines
The Independence Flagpole is a tall steel flagpole located in Rizal Park in the Ermita district of Manila, Philippines. It stands near the Rizal Monument and is considered the central reference point of the park, with historical markers installed at its base.
The flagpole was inaugurated on July 4, 1946, when the Philippine flag was raised for the first time after independence from the United States. That date marked the start of the country's self-governance and remains closely tied to the identity of this site.
Flag-raising ceremonies take place here regularly, drawing school groups, military units, and ordinary visitors who gather around the base to watch. The site is seen as the symbolic center of the country, and national holidays bring noticeably larger crowds to this spot.
The flagpole sits at the heart of Rizal Park and is visible from the main paths, making it easy to use as a reference point while walking through the grounds. The historical markers at its base are written in English and can be read without any guided tour.
During a full renovation in 2013, the original manual pulley system was replaced by a mechanized one using steel imported from Hong Kong. The outer appearance of the mast was kept unchanged, even though the internal workings were entirely rebuilt.
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