1908:
The University of the Philippines was established on June 18 by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1870.

1908-1910:
The institution of various colleges contributed to the increase in the number of faculty members and students, along with the construction of buildings which were needed to house colleges that promote the philosophy of liberal education, gave rise to the expansion of UP. The School of Fine Arts, College of Agriculture, College of Medicine and Surgery, College of Liberal Arts, College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Science, and College of Laws were instituted.

1938-1948:
During the Commonwealth period in the 1930s, a heightened sense of nationalism in students and faculty members arose, as they became more critically aware of the issues afflicting the nation. In 1940, reports on the plans of UP’s transfer to the 493-hectare Diliman estate led by UP President Bienvenido M. Gonzalez and President Manuel L. Quezon were highly debated by faculty members, students, parents, and alumni.

1941-1945:
The City of Manila was greatly devastated during World War II. The UP campus in Padre Faura was not spared from the destruction brought about by the attacks of US troops on Japanese forces. After the war, the entire University was forced to leave Manila and transfer to the Diliman campus.