José Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, to a well-educated and wealthy family. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional talent in writing, reading, and language learning. He studied in Manila and later in Europe, where he earned degrees in medicine and philosophy. While abroad, Rizal wrote two famous novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which revealed the abuses of the Spanish government and church in the Philippines. He traveled to many countries, met with other reformists, and peacefully advocated for Filipino rights. Despite his efforts for nonviolent change, Rizal was arrested and executed by the Spanish authorities on December 30, 1896. His death made him a martyr and the Philippines' national hero.