The Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) is observed in the Philippines as national holiday to commemorate the Fall of Bataan when thousands of Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II after three months of bloody struggle to defend the Philippines against the invading Japanese forces. Every June 9, commemoration ceremonies are held at the Mount Samat National Shrine (also called Dambana ng Kagitingan) in Bataan, a memorial shrine built in honor of the heroism and valor of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought side by side against the Japanese.