On June 29th 1848, the Spanish founded Davao in the Davao Gulf on the island of Mindanao. Davao began to grow and expand during the period of American control. 

On March 16th 1936, cityhood was gained when congressman Romualdo Quimpo from Davao filed Bill 609 (passed as Commonwealth Act 51), creating the City of Davao from the town of Davao and the municipal district of Guianga. 

The city was occupied by the Japanese during the second world war. After the devastation of the war, the city had to be rebuilt. 

Today, Davao City is the third-most populous city in the Philippines after Quezon City and Manila. It is also one of the world’s largest cities in terms of land area. 

Araw ng Davao is marked by a series of events across the metropolitan area when the citizens celebrate the birthday of this multi-cultural city. The festivities cover a jam-packed, seven-day schedule of trade fairs and cultural presentations. There is also a colourful civic-military parade and a citywide beauty pageant.