[2] The holiday traces its roots to the Cry of Pugad Lawin in August 1896, which marked the beginning of the Philippine Revolution.

From 1911 to 1962, the cry was thought to have emanated from Balintawak (now in modern-day Balingasa, Quezon City) on August 26.

3827 by the Philippine Legislature enacted on October 28, 1931, designated every last Sunday of August as National Heroes Day.

This continued during the Japanese occupation during World War II and some years after the United States granted the Philippines independence in 1946.

[9] Administrative Code of 1987 of President Corazon Aquino designated the day as a regular holiday.