thumb|Aguinaldo holding the Philippine flag in Luneta, 1963 On July 4, 1946, after the end of World War II and Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the U.S. recognized the Philippines as an independent and sovereign nation.
thumb|aguinaldo holding the philippine flag in luneta 1963 on july 4 1946 after the end of world war ii and japanese occupation of the philippines the us recognized the philippines as an independent and sovereign nation