Manila Becomes the Spanish Colonial Capital

Timeline

1. 1570–1571Manila Bay · LuzonLegazpi led the Spanish expeditionary force north from Cebu to Luzon, making contact and clashing with Muslim polities around Manila Bay in preparation for establishing colonial rule.
2. 1571Manila · Metro ManilaSpanish forces, aided by Martín de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo, attacked Manila, defeating the local ruler Rajah Sulayman and seizing the strategic mouth of the Pasig River.
3. 1571Manila · Metro ManilaOn the Feast of Saint John, Legazpi formally declared Manila the seat of the Spanish colonial government, beginning construction of walls and municipal institutions. Manila thereafter became the capital of the Governor-General of the Philippines and a trans-Pacific trade center.