National Archives Day 2023: National Archives Day is observed on October 21 of each and every year.
The National Archives of the Philippines serves as the designated repository for public documents and archives within the nation. Its primary functions are preservation, accessibility to the public for research and scholarly inquiry, and conservation. This day is observed in observance of Proclamation No. 660 of 1995, issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos. The Proclamation underscores the critical significance of archives in relation to numerous endeavors pertaining to national development. Additionally, the day recognizes archivists for their extraordinary efforts in preserving the archives.
National Archives Day History
The National Archives of the Philippines houses approximately sixty million documents spanning periods of American and Japanese occupation, the Republic’s years, and centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines. It also functions as the ultimate repository for the extensive collection of notarized documents in the nation.
The origins of the institution can be traced back to the Division of Archives (DAR) of the Spanish colonial administration. The distribution of colonial records was predominantly concentrated in Catholic religious centers across the islands. At the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the Philippines were ceded to the United States. The American government assumed authority over Philippine records on the islands and in Spain, as stipulated in the eighth article of the treaty. Consequently, the Archives Office was established. The American government essentially appointed a “keeper of the Spanish Archive.” Given that the archives were under the jurisdiction of multiple government entities, this was an essential task. It was incorporated into the Executive Bureau in 1901. In the same year, it was transferred to the Department of Public Instruction; in 1915, it was renamed the Division of Archives, Patents, Copyright, and Trademarks and transferred to the Executive Bureau. The Philippine Library and Museum subsequently amalgamated. The National Library was redesignated as the Division of Archives in 1928.
Following World War II, the archive was transferred from the National Library to the Department of General Services. Executive Order No. 290, issued by President Carlos Garcia in 1958, established the Bureau of Records Management within the aforementioned department. The department actively participated in the coordination and development of government-wide strategies pertaining to the storage and disposal of permanent or historical records. Additionally, it encompassed three distinct divisions: archives, record storage, and current records. Preservation and restoration of permanent and historical records were entrusted to the Archives Division.
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FAQs for National Archives Day
Where in the Philippines are the national archives located?
The location of the Philippine National Archives is in the metropolis of Manila.
In the archives, how many collections are housed?
The Spanish Period Collection and the American and Republic Period Collection are the two principal collections.
What is the earliest document contained in the archives of the Philippines?
A number of the archive’s earliest documents trace back to the reign of the first Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines, Miguel López de Legazpi, which lasted from 1565 to 1572.
Observing National Archives Day: A Guide
Illustrate the value of archives
Inform individuals offline and online about the significance of archives. This teaches them the significance of preserving a piece of history and instructs them on how to safeguard any documents or records they possess.
Examine the archives
An invaluable and one-of-a-kind inheritance, archives are conserved across generations. To guarantee the preservation of their value and significance, archives must be managed from the start. You may consult the national archives for additional information.
Discover how archivists operate
Archaeologists’ methods for safeguarding significant historical documents and archives can be studied. Archivists diligently employ audio-visual records in addition to documents and records to ensure their accurate preservation.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | October 21 | Saturday |
| 2024 | October 21 | Monday |
| 2025 | October 21 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | October 21 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | October 21 | Thursday |
