Rizal in Europe, The Propaganda Movement, & Noli Me Tangere

May 3, 1882

Rizal boarded the Spanish steamer Salvadora from Manila to begin his journey to Europe for education and secret observation.

May 11, 1882

In Colombo, Sri Lanka, Rizal boarded the French steamer Djemnah en route to Europe.

June 16, 1882

Rizal arrived in Barcelona, Spain.

November 3, 1882

Rizal enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid, taking Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.

June 1883

Rizal visited Paris for the first time.

June 21, 1884

He earned his Licentiate in Medicine from Universidad Central de Madrid.

1885-1886

Rizal traveled to Paris and then to Berlin to specialize in ophthalmology (motivated by his mother's eye condition).

March 21, 1887

Noli Me Tangere was released in Berlin, thanks to funding from Maximo Viola.

August 5, 1887

Rizal arrived in Manila during his first homecoming aboard the ship Haiphong.

August 8, 1887

Returned to Calamba and opened a medical clinic.

February 28–April 13, 1888

Rizal stayed in Japan, met Seiko Usui (O-Sei-San), and experienced one of the happiest periods of his life.

April 13, 1888

Rizal left Japan for the United States.

May 1888 – March 1889

Resided in London, did historical research, and sought refuge from Spanish persecution.

January 28, 1890

Moved to Brussels, Belgium, where he worked on El Filibusterismo and wrote for La Solidaridad.

August 1890

Moved to Madrid and faced personal misfortunes (Leonor Rivera’s marriage, family eviction, brothers deported).

May 1892

Returned to the Philippines; was later arrested.

July 3, 1892

Founded La Liga Filipina at Ilaya Street, Tondo.

July 6, 1892

Arrested by Spanish authorities and sent to Fort Santiago.

July 17, 1892

Deported to Dapitan.

September 21, 1892

Won 6,200 pesos in the Manila Lottery while in Dapitan.

1893–1896

Lived in Dapitan with Josephine Bracken; they had a son who died shortly after birth.

December 26, 1896

Rizal was tried in a court-martial and sentenced to death.

December 30, 1896

Rizal was executed at Bagumbayan at 7:03 AM.

Amor Patrio

"Love of Country" – Rizal’s first nationalistic essay, written in Barcelona.

Universidad Central de Madrid

Prestigious university where Rizal studied.

La Solidaridad

Biweekly newspaper and voice of the Propaganda Movement (founded 1889).

La Liga Filipina

Civic organization promoting unity, mutual aid, and reforms (founded July 3, 1892).

Propaganda Movement

A peaceful reform movement in Europe during the 1880s–90s that advocated political, civil, and educational reforms for Filipinos.

Illustrados

The educated Filipino middle class who spearheaded the reform movement.

Spanish Cortes

Spanish parliament where Filipinos sought representation.

Secularization of Parishes

Campaign to allow Filipino priests, not Spanish friars, to head parishes.

Masonry / Masons

Reformist brotherhood Rizal and his peers aligned with, advocating enlightenment and civil liberties.

Suez Canal

Strategic waterway Rizal passed through en route to Europe, shortening his travel time.

José Rizal

National hero; polymath, writer, reformist, martyr; led the intellectual arm of the Propaganda Movement.

Paciano Rizal

Rizal’s older brother who supported his European mission.

Maximo Viola

Rizal's friend and benefactor of Noli Me Tangere.

Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger

Renowned German ophthalmologist under whom Rizal trained.

Seiko Usui (O-Sei-San)

Japanese woman Rizal fell in love with during his stay in Japan.

Josephine Bracken

Rizal’s partner during exile in Dapitan; mother of his child.

Governor-General Emilio Terrero

Philippine governor who assigned a bodyguard to Rizal after reading Noli.

Graciano Lopez Jaena

Founder and first editor of La Solidaridad, powerful orator, wrote Fray Botod.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar

Editor-in-chief of La Solidaridad, "Father of Philippine Journalism", used pen names Plaridel, Dolores Manapat, and Piping Dilat.

Antonio Luna

Patriot, military strategist, scientist, contributor to La Solidaridad under the pen name "Taga-ilog".

Mariano Ponce

Historian, co-founder of La Solidaridad, close friend of Rizal.

Leonor Rivera

Rizal’s long-time love who eventually married another man.

Noli Me Tangere

"Touch Me Not" – Novel published in 1887; exposed Spanish abuses and sparked national consciousness.

El Filibusterismo

“The Reign of Greed” – Sequel to Noli, more radical in tone; emphasized revolution over reform.

Mi Último Adiós

“My Last Farewell” – Rizal’s final poem before his execution, expressing love for the country and his readiness to die for it.

Fray Botod

Satirical short story by Lopez Jaena criticizing greedy friars.

Dasalan at Tocsohan

Satirical work by Del Pilar mocking Catholic rituals and clerical abuses.