Published April 9, 2021 6:24pm Although students and employees nationwide enjoy a holiday off on April 9, some people may not be aware that it is in commemoration of the Fall of Bataan. Out of our many historical events, why was the Fall of Bataan, which happened April 9, 1942, chosen to be the Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan? According to historians, this was meant to recall the thousands of Filipinos who dedicated their lives to free the country during World War II. World War II started in the Pacific region on Dec. 8, 1941, when the Japanese forces attacked US bases, including those in the Philippines.