HISTORY: The Last Days of Jose P. Rizal

1. December 26, 1896 – A Spanish court martial found Jose Rizal guilty for sedition and sentenced him to death.

2. December 28, 1896 – It was decided that Rizal will be executed by musketry; Governor-General Camillo Polavieja confirmed the sentence.

3. December 28, 1896 – Teodora Alonzo wrote the Governor-General asking for clemency for her son.

4. December 28, 1896 – At Malacañan Palace, Rizal’s sisters pleaded to Governor-General Polavieja: stay Rizal’s execution.

5. December 29, 1896 – Rizal was read his death sentence.

6. December 29, 1896 – Rizal was visited by several priests including Fr. Faura, S.J.

7. Decemeber 29, 1896 – Rizal wrote his last letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt which read:..

My dear Brother, when you receive this letter, I shall be dead by then. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience. Adieu, my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me! Fort Santiago, 29 December 1896- José Rizal. Regards to the whole family, to Sra. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and Federico. I leave a book for you as my remembrance.

8. December 29, 1896 – Teodora Alonzo paid her final visit to Rizal. She was accompanied by

her daughter, Trinidad Mercado.

9. December 29, 1896 – Rizal’s sisters were allowed to pay him visits. He gave them his worldly

possessions:

Narcisa – Wicker Chair

Angelica, niece – Handkerchief

Mauricio, nephew – Belt, watch, and chain

Trinidad – Alcohol Burner with Mi Ultimo Adios

10. December 30, 1896- 6:30am – Rizal was brought to the execution site from Fort Santiago.

11. December 30, 1896,-7:03 a.m. – Rizal was executed by musketry.

12. December 30, 1896 – After the execution, Rizal’s body was brought to San Juan de Dios Hospital

13. December 30, 1896 – Rizal’s remains were buried in the Paco Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

14. Rizal’s sister, Narcisa, searched suburban graveyards for where Jose Rizal was buried. She eventually discovered that he was buried in Paco Park. She marked the plot with the letters R.P.J. (Rizal’s initials in reverse)

15. August 17, 1898 – Rizal’s remains were exhumed and brought to the Rizal family house in Binondo.

The remains of Rizal, after exhumation on August 17, 1898, were kept in the Rizal family house in Binondo until they were brought to their final resting place in Luneta. On December 30, 1912, a solemn ceremony was held to finally bury the remains in the base of the monument dedicated in memory of Rizal.