Hold onto your hats, history buffs! In 1901, just months after President William McKinley's assassination, there was a wild proposal on the table: rename the entire Philippine archipelago the "McKinley Islands"!
Imagine it: instead of Filipinos, we would be known as McKinley Islanders. Pretty crazy, right?
This wasn't just some random idea. The proposal even included changing the names of provinces and islands to honor key figures involved in the U.S. acquisition and management of the Philippines. So, we could have had "Dewey Island" or "Taft Province" instead of their current names.
Why would they do such a thing? Well, the proponents wanted to permanently link McKinley's name with the Philippines. They believed it would be a constant reminder of his role in expanding the U.S. influence and establishing its systems in the region.
But wait, there's more! Remember, President McKinley was assassinated while still in office. This proposal came during a period of national grief and admiration for him. So, renaming the Philippines was a way to honor his memory and legacy.
However, for various reasons, this dramatic name change never happened. And thank goodness for that! While McKinley was a significant figure in Philippine history, changing the entire country's identity would have been a monumental task with far-reaching consequences.
So, the next time you hear someone say "Filipino," take a moment to appreciate that we didn't become "McKinley Islanders"! It's a reminder of the twists and turns that history takes and how things might have been completely different.